Man Arrested for Creating and Distributing Deepfake Pornographic Videos Featuring Junior Colleagues

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Seoyul] A man in his 20s who created obscene images by synthesizing photos of his high school junior has been arrested.

On the 31st, the Seoul Gwanak Police Station announced that they had arrested Kim, a man in his 20s, on the previous day on charges of distributing false videos under the Sexual Violence Punishment Act. A police official explained, "An arrest warrant was issued on the grounds that Kim might flee."

According to the police, Kim is accused of creating and distributing a 'deepfake' video that synthesized the victim's photo, which was posted on social networking services (SNS) last February, into obscene material.

Additionally, he threatened the victim from an anonymous SNS account, saying, "If you want it deleted, take a photo yourself and send it."

Investigations confirmed that Kim was a senior to the victim in high school.

Meanwhile, Kim is also suspected of extorting tens of thousands of won by attracting clients through SNS by saying, "I will create humiliating synthesized images of acquaintances," and then threatening to distribute them to the police.