['Secret' Camera Heaven] Small Holes in Glasses, Hats, Buttons... Targeting You

Easy Purchase Anywhere Online or Offline
8,000 Camera-Related Crimes Annually...Continuing to Rise
Experts Say "Urgent Need for First-Time Hidden Camera Crime Rehabilitation Measures"

On the 16th, a promotional sign advertising the sale of 'hidden cameras' was displayed at a store in Yongsan Electronics Market, Seoul. Photo by Oh Gyumin moh011@

[Asia Economy Reporters Byungdon Yoo, Gyumin Oh] "It's not illegal. It's made small for convenience."

An employee at a camera store in Yongsan Electronics Market recommended a USB-shaped camera the size of a thumb. He said it was the smallest among the ultra-compact cameras sold at the store. The employee explained, "The lens is coated so it is not visible," adding, "It is difficult to distinguish from a regular USB by appearance." When asked if it could record audio, he replied, "In most situations, it records clearly enough to distinguish human voices."

Most cameras used in illegal filming crimes are ultra-compact. With technological advances, camera sizes are getting smaller while video quality is becoming clearer. This means it is easier to identify victims in videos. Around Yongsan Electronics Market and nearby electronics stores, large signs advertise the sale of ‘hidden cameras,’ ‘special cameras,’ and ‘ultra-compact cameras.’ When visiting five stores and asking if cameras could be purchased, the answer was always "Of course." None asked the purpose of purchase. One seller said, "Everyone buys for personal reasons," and questioned, "Even if we ask if it's for hidden camera crimes, would anyone admit it?"

Another way to purchase such cameras is online. Searching for ‘ultra-compact cameras’ on online shopping malls or YouTube reveals numerous products, purchase routes, and performance comparisons by model. Camera types include button cameras, glasses cameras, belt cameras, hat cameras, pen cameras, car key cameras, and dozens more. Under current law, there is no way to regulate the sale of certified modified cameras. The Radio Waves Act only checks electromagnetic waves affecting the human body or other devices, so it does not consider camera size or shape. Anyone can easily purchase cameras for illegal filming if they want.

Camera-related crimes approach 8,000 cases annually. Despite being serious crimes mostly involving sexual offenses, the arrest rate is low. According to the National Police Agency, 7,874 cases occurred last year, and 4,349 cases in the first half of this year alone. In just one and a half years, 12,223 camera-related crimes occurred. By crime type, ‘Violation of the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (filming, distribution using cameras, etc.)’ accounted for 5,541 cases (70.4%) last year and 2,758 cases (63.4%) this year, making up the majority. ‘Violation of the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (threats, coercion using filmed materials, etc.)’ was next with 819 cases last year and 612 this year.

Following were ‘Violation of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection (distribution of obscene materials)’ with 786 cases last year and 366 this year; ‘Violation of the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles from Sexual Abuse (production and distribution of sexual exploitation materials)’ with 627 cases last year and 354 this year; and ‘Violation of the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (editing and distribution of false videos)’ with 101 cases last year and 259 this year.

Most crime types showed an increasing trend, especially crimes involving editing and distribution of false videos, which more than doubled in the first half of this year compared to last year. The arrest rate for this crime was 56.4% last year and 57.9% this year, far below 60%, highlighting the seriousness of the issue.

Other crime types also had low arrest rates. ‘Violation of the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (threats, coercion using filmed materials, etc.)’ had a 73.2% arrest rate; ‘Violation of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection (distribution of obscene materials)’ had 61.5%; and ‘Violation of the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles from Sexual Abuse (production and distribution of sexual exploitation materials)’ had 79.6%, all below 80%.

On the 16th, a promotional sign advertising the sale of 'hidden cameras' was displayed at a store in Yongsan Electronics Market, Seoul. Photo by Oh Gyumin moh011@

At least ‘Violation of the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (filming, distribution using cameras, etc.)’ showed a relatively better arrest rate of 86.9%. However, this is still significantly lower compared to the over 90% arrest rates for most violent crimes. The arrest rate has been continuously decreasing compared to 2020. Crimes using cameras occur in a closed manner, tools are becoming more advanced, and many victims do not even realize they were filmed. It is estimated that there are far more victims than statistics show.

There are calls to regulate the sale and purchase of ultra-compact cameras that can be used for crimes. A bill titled ‘Act on the Management of Modified Cameras,’ which includes provisions to trace from manufacturers to buyers and restrict purchases to national security or research purposes, has been proposed in the National Assembly but has not yet passed. Some argue that regulating purchases would hinder technological development and infringe on sellers' rights, so purchases should not be restricted.

Experts point out that educating hidden camera criminals should take priority over regulating camera sales. Woonghyuk Lee, a professor in the Department of Police Science at Konkuk University, said, "Just as you cannot regulate the sale of kitchen knives because of murders, the same logic applies," adding, "It is necessary to establish measures to properly rehabilitate first-time offenders of illegal filming crimes."

According to the Ministry of Justice’s 2020 Sexual Crime White Paper, the recidivism rate for ‘Violation of the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (filming, distribution using cameras, etc.)’ is 75%. This is significantly higher than other sexual crimes such as rape (32.3%), molestation in crowded public places (61.4%), and prostitution (38.2%).