[Numbers in the News] 'Deepfake' Crimes Penetrate Classrooms... Number of Affected Students and Teachers Rises to 850

Digital sex crimes involving the creation and distribution of fake videos by synthesizing acquaintances' photos using 'deepfake' technology have infiltrated educational settings and are continuously increasing. Alarmingly, 17 cases have already occurred in elementary schools this year, urgently calling for measures to eradicate this issue.

The Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (Jeon-gyo-jo) held a press conference on the 29th in front of the Government Seoul Office in Jongno, Seoul, to announce the results of an investigation into illegal synthetic substances and sexual crimes in schools, strongly condemning the government for aiding and abetting sexual crimes. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

According to the 'School Deepfake Fake Video Damage Status' announced by the Ministry of Education, from January this year to the 11th of this month, the cumulative number of victims of deepfake fake videos within schools reached 814. Expanding the scope beyond students to include school staff (33 teachers and 3 other staff members), the total number of victims accumulated to 850.

The number of students victimized by deepfake fake videos has been steadily increasing.

In response to controversies over digital sex crimes abusing 'deepfake' technology, the Ministry of Education has been investigating the damage status targeting 17 metropolitan and provincial offices of education.

At the first survey (August 27), there were 196 victims; the second survey (September 6) added 421 more victims; and through the third (September 13) and fourth surveys (September 27), the numbers increased by 105 and 111 respectively.

Although the rate of increase has slowed since then, the total number of victims continues to rise with each survey. When the Ministry of Education tallied the numbers as of last month’s 27th, the cumulative number of affected students was 799. However, the fifth survey conducted on the 4th showed an increase to 804, and the sixth survey added 10 more victims, bringing the total to 814.

Regarding school deepfake fake video-related damage, reports from high schools accounted for more than half (55%). Among the total 516 reported cases of school deepfake damage this year, high schools had the highest number with 284 cases, followed by middle schools with 215 cases, and elementary schools with 17 cases.

As controversies over the abuse of deepfake technology grow, the government has decided to intensify crackdowns. On the 10th, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo emphasized that deepfake is a 'criminal act.' He stated, "One of the biggest challenges in responding to deepfake sex crimes is that many perpetrators are teenage minors who lack awareness that 'producing and distributing fake sexual videos' is a serious crime," adding, "Crimes committed under the guise of mere curiosity must never be overlooked; please respond actively and report them."

He also said, "We plan to conduct intensive crackdowns on deepfake sex crimes until the end of March next year," and added, "We are strengthening punishment for perpetrators and support for victims, and are also considering additional measures such as expanding the responsibility of online platforms."