"Only Girls Under 15" Sexualization Controversy... Stir Despite "Misunderstanding" Explanation [Sexual Exploitation, Out]

Child and Adolescent Sexual Objectification
Exposed Unprotected Through the Media

Editor's NoteChild and adolescent prostitution is defined as sexual exploitation. This is because it is difficult to consider children and adolescents, whose sexual self-determination is immature, as subjects of sexual consent or contracts. Children and adolescents who quickly form intimacy online through social media, messengers, and anonymous platforms are more easily caught up in sexual exploitation crimes than before. According to the Korea Women's Human Rights Institute Central Digital Sexual Crime Victim Support Center, one in four victims supported for digital sexual crimes last year were teenagers (27.8%). Compared to 2023, the number of teenage victims supported by the center increased by more than 600 (3.3 percentage points). Crimes of child and adolescent sexual exploitation are clear sexual abuse. We examine whether there are ways to prevent these crimes and what specific measures are needed based on actual victim cases.

"In fact, their economic interests and profits come first, but they cover it up with the success and achievements of children and adolescents and the sacrifices of parents. Broadly speaking, this is child abuse."

Lee Sun-hee, CEO of the Korea Women’s Political Network, who has been advocating for the cancellation of the girl group audition program 'Under Fifteen,' recently said in an interview with Asia Economy that programs embroiled in controversies over child and adolescent sexual commodification and exploitation should be prevented from airing.

Under Fifteen is an audition program designed exclusively for children and adolescents under the age of 15. Since it is a girl group selection, the gender was limited to female. When it became known that children as young as 8 years old were appearing, the program was engulfed in controversies over child and adolescent sexual commodification and exploitation.

Women, youth, media, and human rights-related civil society organizations are protesting in front of the broadcasting station where the program 'Under Fifteen' was scheduled last month on the 26th to request its cancellation. Korean Women's Associations United

Negative reactions intensified when the teaser video was released. The video showed underage participants performing in revealing outfits such as crop tops, and there was criticism that barcodes were inserted under the participants’ introduction photos, making the child and adolescent participants appear like products. As the controversy grew, the first broadcast scheduled for the 31st of last month was canceled, and the video was made private.

Experts pointed out that if the sexual objectification of children and adolescents is exposed unguarded through the media, not only peers but also adults will accept it without criticism.

Lee Sun-hee, Representative of the Korean Women’s Political Network.

Lee said, "Adolescents have a desire for recognition while establishing their identity," adding, "The program makes adolescents view sexuality as a talent or ability by praising them." She criticized, "If cultural signals that allow the sexuality of children and adolescents to lead to success are permitted, wouldn’t it be impossible to prevent sexual crimes like deepfakes occurring among adolescents themselves?"

She also pointed out, "Children and adolescents cannot decide alone when setting values and directions for hope and success," and "Simply accepting that children and adolescents agreed to appear on the program distorts the view that their rights were protected."

Yang Yi-hyun, co-representative of the Korean Women’s Associations United, emphasized that despite ongoing issues in the popular culture industry where the appearance and bodies of female children and adolescents are emphasized leading to sexual objectification, Under Fifteen repeated these problems.

Co-representative Yang expressed concern, saying, "There are no standards or methods regarding how children and adolescents appear in the media," and "Because there is almost no detailed education on how children and adolescents should have their own subjectivity, they can accept what they see on social networking services (SNS), YouTube influencers, and television programs as is, and may think it is a socially accepted standard." She added, "Including barcodes with photos of children and adolescents scheduled to appear was really excessive. The production company explained it was referencing student IDs, but barcodes are a typical way to label products, aren’t they?"

Lee Hyun-sook, executive director of Tacteen Tomorrow, said, "Although social sexual sensitivity has increased compared to the past, there are still disparities," and "There is a leniency toward sexual objectification of children and adolescents."

The production company of Under Fifteen stated, "We did not sexualize young participants or create sexual exploitation materials using them," and "The spread of such perceptions is a huge misunderstanding."

As the issue of child and adolescent sexual commodification became a continuous social controversy, the National Assembly moved to amend the law. In January this year, a partial amendment to the Popular Culture and Arts Industry Development Act passed the National Assembly. According to the law, popular culture and arts business operators must include measures in contracts with youth popular culture artists to guarantee basic human rights such as physical and mental health, learning rights, personality rights, sleep rights, and rest rights. They must also designate a youth protection officer and submit related materials. This will be enforced starting in August.

However, there are no sanctions for violations. There are no legal measures such as fines. A Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism official said, "While there is a position that youth protection is necessary, there was an opinion that imposing fines immediately after the first enforcement in August would be excessive," adding, "We are in communication with related organizations, and since related bills have been proposed, we are reviewing (measures such as fines)."

※ If you are experiencing difficulties due to digital sexual crimes, domestic violence, sexual violence, prostitution/sexual exploitation, dating violence, stalking, etc., you can receive support 24/7 every day at the Women’s Emergency Hotline 1366 (☎1366). For counseling related to child and adolescent sexual exploitation victims, 1:1 anonymous counseling is also available through the Korea Women’s Human Rights Institute Youth Counseling Channel D4Youth (@d4youth).