Spread of Anxiety in Schools "Cannot Dismiss as Mere Curiosity... Need to Sound Alarm on Crime"
Press Conference on 29th to Announce KTU Emergency Survey Results
As cases of 'deepfake' sexual exploitation, where photos of others' faces are synthesized with pornographic content, have widely spread in school settings, teacher organizations are urging the government for strong countermeasures.
According to the education sector on the 28th, the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU) has been conducting an emergency survey on deepfake-related issues for two days since the day before. The KTU has already received responses from over 1,200 people and plans to analyze the data and hold an emergency press conference in front of the Government Seoul Office on the morning of the 29th.
Teacher unions expect that there are countless victims nationwide and are strongly urging government-level responses. They emphasized that the production and distribution of such deepfakes have gone beyond the scope of prevention education at the school level and stressed the necessity of investigation and punishment.
The KTU stated, "The victim protection measures announced by the Ministry of Education did not specifically reveal plans for cooperation with investigative agencies or legal support measures," adding, "Since schools are already experiencing great confusion over how to support victims, the urgent distribution of detailed manuals is necessary." They further said, "This issue did not arise because schools failed to provide digital ethics education, but because investigative and judicial authorities have handled digital sex crimes complacently, which has worsened the problem," and added, "Digital sex crimes are occurring in forms beyond what education alone can resolve, so thorough investigations and the establishment of strong punishment regulations are needed."
The Federation of Teachers' Unions pointed out, "Victimized students and teachers are expressing shock upon learning that their faces have been synthesized into nude or sexual intercourse photos," and said, "Teachers also feel powerless because it is difficult to respond to this issue or protect and support victims through procedures such as the School Violence Prevention Act at the school level." They continued, "Sex crimes among youth can no longer be dismissed as mere 'simple curiosity,' and some youths are exchanging digital sex crime materials for economic value," urging, "Establish a national-level reporting system and a dedicated investigative team, not just at the school level."
The Practical Education Teachers' Association stated, "Strict punishment for perpetrators and psychological support and careful consideration for victims to restore their daily lives are necessary," and added, "An educational environment that can overcome cultural lag phenomena must also be created." They urged, "(The government) to form a task force including information technology experts, secure evidence of crimes, and ensure that no perpetrator escapes legal punishment," and called for, "Making it clear that obscene crimes against students and teachers are absolutely unforgivable and sounding a definite warning."
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