KOREAN NET

This poster in November last year promotes the prevention of deepfake crimes at the center for victims of digital sex crimes of the Women's Human Rights Institute of Korea in Seoul. (Yonhap News)

By Gil Kyuyoung

Victims of digital sex crimes can get quicker and more effective assistance in all 17 cities and provinces of the country.

Staff from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and the Women's Human Rights Institute of Korea on Feb. 14 visited a counseling center specifically for such victims that was opened last month in Wonju, Gangwon-do Province. The officials went there to discuss integrated support such as guidance to delete illegally filmed videos, victim recovery, and cooperation and connection between support centers for such victims and related consultation centers in each region.

The regional counseling centers will be converted into support centers for the victims and a national support system will help victims in all 17 cities and provinces of the nation.

Last year, the ministry amended the Sexual Violence Prevention and Victims Protection Act to stipulate the scope of support from the central and local governments for deleting illegally filmed videos. The revision also strengthened the victim support system through the launch of support centers for such victims.

In November last year, the ministry announced stronger responses to deepfake sex crimes. As a follow-up measure, it will complete trial operation of unifying the consultation hotline to 1366 for support centers nationwide and launch it in April.

Along with the Korea Communications Commission and the Korean National Police Agency, the ministry is continuously monitoring policy implementation by holding working-level talks on tackling digital sex crimes.

More budget and personnel for the support centers will enable consultations and monitoring 24 hours a day. A new integrated website and a channel for reporting crimes and streamlining the deletion system are also planned.

The ministry said, "With the opening this year of a consultation center specifically for victims of digital sex crimes in Gangwon-do Province, the country's 17 cities and provinces can now provide comprehensive services such as short-distance counseling and recovery of daily life."

"We will improve the system and raise support so that the central support center for victims of digital sex crimes and specialized consultation centers in regions can play a pivotal role in responding to such crimes."

gilkyuyoung@korea.kr