"Punishment for Possession of Deepfake Sexual Crime Materials"... National Assembly Passes 7 Laws in One Day

Not Only Footage but Also 'False Videos' Sanctioned
Bill Drafted to Impose Up to '7 Years Imprisonment'

As concerns over deepfake (AI-based image synthesis technology) digital sex crimes grow, the National Assembly has introduced a series of 'strengthened punishment laws.'

According to the National Assembly Legislative Information System, five bills were submitted in one day on the 27th to punish those who produce, distribute, possess, purchase, or store deepfake sexual crime materials under the "Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes." The current law limits punishable offenses to materials filmed using cameras. In response, Democratic Party lawmakers Kim Nam-hee, Kim Han-gyu, Lee Hae-sik, Han Jeong-ae, and Hwang Myeong-seon proposed amendments to regulate "false video materials" on the same grounds.

Two amendments to the Information and Communications Network Act were also submitted. Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Nam-hee held information and communication service providers accountable, requiring operators of such services to block or delete deepfake sexual crime materials. However, a limitation is that foreign companies like Telegram are not considered telecommunications service providers under domestic law. Democratic Party lawmaker Park Yong-gap proposed a "punishment law for distributors" to prevent the spread of deepfake sexual crime materials through portals or video platforms via information and communication networks. People Power Party lawmaker Woo Jae-jun is also preparing to submit a bill that would impose up to seven years imprisonment on distributors.

The National Assembly's Gender and Family Committee is preparing support measures for victims. Committee Chair Lee In-seon stated, "We will operate a counseling center specializing in victim reports in close cooperation with the National Police Agency." The committee plans to summon officials from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and other related departments for a current affairs inquiry on the 4th of next month. After assessing the situation of victims, they aim to pass necessary legislation between September and October.