350 Cases Detected Since Implementation of Undercover Investigation System
504 Individuals Arrested Related to Child and Adolescent Sexual Exploitation Materials
In March of this year, suspect A in the so-called 'YoonXXX' case, which caused a public uproar by posting illegal footage along with victims' personal information on Telegram since June 2022, was arrested by the police. (Refer to the article from March 26, 2023) Previously, from October 2012 to November 2020, over eight years, the late Yoon Mo, who met women through smartphone chat applications, filmed and distributed illegal sexual exploitation materials. After the police investigation, Yoon took his own life. Suspect A was arrested and prosecuted for continuously distributing illegal footage online after Yoon's death. During the investigation, the police disguised one of the other suspects to approach A, ultimately succeeding in the arrest.
Undercover investigations by the police into digital sexual crimes against children and adolescents have proven effective. Since the law's enforcement, over 700 suspects have been caught through undercover operations.
The National Police Agency's National Investigation Headquarters (NIH) announced on the 20th that, utilizing the undercover investigation system under the 'Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles from Sexual Abuse,' which was enacted in September 2021, they detected 350 cases of digital sexual crimes against children and adolescents and arrested 705 suspects as of the 30th of last month. Among those arrested, 56 were detained.
Among the suspects caught through undercover operations, 504 individuals (71.4% of the total) were involved in selling, distributing, or advertising child and adolescent sexual exploitation materials. Additionally, 106 suspects (15%) were found to possess or view such materials.
The police's undercover investigations into digital sexual crimes against children and adolescents are divided into two types: 'identity non-disclosure investigations,' where the police officer's identity is not revealed during the investigation, and 'identity disguise investigations,' where officers disguise themselves as non-police personnel using documents, drawings, or electronic records. Of the 102 identity non-disclosure investigation cases concluded in the first half of this year, 90 cases (88.2%) resulted in identifying or arresting suspects. For identity disguise investigations, 18 out of 19 cases achieved their investigative objectives, demonstrating excellent arrest rates.
In March of this year, the police selected new undercover investigators and provided training on laws and investigative procedures necessary for undercover operations. At least one undercover investigator was assigned to each cyber sexual violence investigation team in all 18 metropolitan and provincial police agencies nationwide. Additionally, a 'Undercover Investigation Inspection Team' was formed to verify compliance with undercover investigation procedures and conduct on-site inspections. Identity non-disclosure investigations require prior approval from the head of the investigative department of a higher police agency, while identity disguise investigations can only commence with a prosecutor's request and court approval.
The police conducted on-site inspections at six metropolitan and provincial police agencies in the first half of this year and confirmed that there were no illegal or abusive cases during investigations. They plan to conduct inspections at the remaining 12 agencies in the second half of the year. A National Investigation Headquarters official stated, "As we enter the third year since implementation, the effectiveness of the undercover investigation system is gradually being proven," adding, "We will continue to promote undercover investigations actively to eradicate digital sexual crimes against children and adolescents."
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