Middle School Boys Distribute 'Synthetic Nude Photos' of Teachers and Peers... Police Investigation Underway

Deepfake Created Using Faces of About 10 Female Teachers and Female Middle School Students
Male Students Watch in Classroom or Exchange via Messenger

Male students at a middle school in Ulsan have been caught and are under police investigation for circulating manipulated images that combine nude photos with the faces of a female teacher and female peers.

On the 16th, the Ulsan Police Agency announced that they are investigating two male students, including a student referred to as A, from a middle school in Ulsan. A and the other student are suspected of recently creating deepfake images (Deepfake: AI-generated video and image manipulations) using the faces of a female teacher and about 10 female middle school students from the same school, viewing them in the classroom, and exchanging them via messenger apps. The investigation began after the school reported the matter to the police upon discovering these facts.

The police are analyzing the perpetrators' mobile phones and investigating the detailed circumstances of the case. A police official stated, "We are investigating the reasons behind creating the deepfakes and whether the manipulated photos were leaked externally," adding, "They will be dealt with after determining if they fall under the Juvenile Act."

Meanwhile, under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes, editing, synthesizing, or processing photographs or videos targeting a person's face, body, or voice in a way that may arouse sexual desire or shame is punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won.