At Least 50 Entertainers Victimized... US Student Prosecuted for Producing and Distributing Thousands of Obscene Videos

Produced 2,300 Pornographic Videos Over 4 Years While Studying Abroad
Distributed via Membership-Only Telegram Chat Room

A man in his 30s who created and distributed thousands of illegal pornographic materials by synthesizing celebrities' faces while studying in the United States has been brought to trial.

Recently, the Jeju District Prosecutors' Office announced that they have arrested and indicted Mr. A, in his 30s, on charges of violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles from Sexual Abuse, and the Information and Communications Network Act.

Mr. A is accused of producing about 2,300 pornographic materials synthesized with the faces of underage idols and other celebrities over approximately four years, from August 2019 to June of this year. He also distributed more than 5,800 synthesized pornographic materials that he produced or collected through a membership-based Telegram chatroom he operated.

However, it has been confirmed that Mr. A did not sell the videos. Investigations revealed that the number of victimized celebrities is at least 50 or more.

Earlier, the police checked the Telegram chatroom operated by Mr. A around December last year and found that he was residing in the United States. Subsequently, after obtaining an arrest warrant for Mr. A, they invalidated his passport, issued an Interpol red notice, and requested cooperative investigation from U.S. authorities.

In June, U.S. police arrested Mr. A at his residence in the United States and seized evidence including his laptop and external hard drives. Mr. A refused deportation to his home country and applied for bail, but the U.S. court denied bail and ordered forced deportation. Mr. A was then handcuffed and taken into custody by the police upon his arrival at Incheon International Airport on the 22nd of last month.

During police interrogation, Mr. A reportedly stated, "When I was in Korea, I accidentally came across fake videos, and afterward, for my own satisfaction, I produced and distributed fake videos."