Lee Su-jin "Prosecution's AI Illegal Filming Detection System Did Not Operate" Questioned
Han Dong-hoon Replied "It Was Reported to the Police, What Are You Saying?"
Lee Su-jin, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the plenary meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on February 11. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] The 'questioning attitude' of Lee Sujin, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, has once again come under scrutiny. During the National Assembly Budget and Accounts Committee meeting on the 5th, she appeared to ramble while asking Justice Minister Han Donghoon whether the prosecution's 'AI-based illegal filming detection system' was functioning properly in relation to the 'second n번방 (Nth Room)' case. Lee had also sparked controversy with a similar questioning attitude during Minister Han's confirmation hearing in May.
On the 6th, Lee pointed out to Minister Han that the prosecution's AI-based illegal filming detection system did not work properly in the second n번방 case, to which Minister Han responded, "It is not a case reported to the prosecution," leading to a heated exchange. The AI-based illegal filming detection system Lee mentioned is a system developed by the prosecution since 2019. When a victim reports illegal filming material, the AI analyzes the basic information of the footage, searches major internet sites, and requests the Korea Communications Standards Commission to delete the content. However, due to the adjustment of investigative authority between the prosecution and police pushed by the Democratic Party, since January last year, only the police can initiate investigations into sex crimes.
That day, Lee asked Minister Han, "Recently, the second n번방 case occurred. One of the female victims made the first report in January this year, and it is estimated that as many as 5,000 people shared or viewed the exploitative material. Why did the prosecution's AI-based illegal filming detection system not work?"
Minister Han replied, "Wasn't that reported to the police? It was not reported to the prosecution." Lee then repeated the same question, "No, why did the AI-based illegal filming detection system not work?"
When Minister Han again responded, "I understand the victim reported it to the police," indicating it was not under the prosecution's jurisdiction, Lee asked, "If it is reported to the police, does the prosecution not act at all?" She continued, "If the police report it, they should quickly inform the prosecution so the AI can... quickly detect the footage. This involves a huge amount of taxpayers' money, and you say that?"
Minister Han said, "If the victim reported to the police, then the investigation is underway, so there is no need to detect it with AI..." Lee responded, "Then shouldn't you tell them to report it to the prosecution? If this system really only works when reported to the prosecution," she said. When Minister Han said again, "I don't quite understand what you mean," Lee sarcastically replied, "What do you mean you don't understand? Tell the public that the police investigated, so the prosecution's AI system did not work, everyone."
Minister Han explained again, "The problem is in criminalizing the matter itself, but since the victim directly reported to the police, I understand the police proceeded with the investigation," and Lee looked at Minister Han and said, "Oh dear, really..." She then said, "We know the system did not work. Submit the results of the operation to my office."
During Minister Han's confirmation hearing in May, Lee's questioning attitude was also controversial. At that time, Lee said, "The Minister of Justice candidate is not a position to work for the prosecution organization. Remember that," and Minister Han replied, "I will keep that in mind." Then suddenly, Lee raised her voice, "What did you say? Are you mocking me?" causing confusion around her. As Lee's attitude was repeated several times throughout the hearing, some criticized, saying "She seems to be drunk."
After becoming controversial again over her attitude, Lee's office issued a statement saying, "This is not about the investigative authority issue between the prosecution and police but about the will to eradicate digital sex crimes and prevent secondary damage," and explained, "We questioned the Ministry of Justice, which oversees the work, about the operation of the AI-based illegal filming distribution detection and victim support system to prevent secondary damage in the second n번방 case."
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