South Korea is witnessing a troubling surge in AI-generated sex crimes, primarily driven by teenagers. Between November 2024 and October 2025, the police apprehended 3,557 individuals for cybersexual violence, with deepfake-related crimes constituting the largest category—1,553 cases. Disturbingly, 62% of suspects were minors, highlighting a shift in the typical offender profile. South Korean authorities adopt a broad interpretation of deepfake-related crimes, encompassing synthetic pornography and child exploitation through AI. Notable cases include a 15-year-old distributing 590 deepfake videos and a group of teenagers pressuring victims into creating explicit content. The legal landscape has shifted, with amendments allowing for punishment without needing to prove intent. Law enforcement has intensified efforts, resulting in 1,438 arrests. Authorities are also proactively supporting victims, aiming to educate youth about prevention. The government plans to continue its crackdown through October 2026, targeting creators, distributors, and consumers of illegal content.
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