Secret Filming, Distribution, and Blackmail... Is There No Solution to the Unending Illegal Filming Crimes?

Illegal Filming Crimes Using Cameras, Over 6,000 Cases Last Year
Punishment Level 'Lenient'... Only 1 in 10 Receive Prison Sentences
Experts "Sentences Must Be Harsher to Prevent Recidivism"

Footage related to illegal filming crimes / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] As illegal filming crimes, such as secretly recording women's nudity and sexual intercourse scenes, continue to occur, there is a growing call for urgent measures to eradicate these crimes, including tougher sentencing and crackdowns on illegal filming devices. Criticism persists that effective related measures are still insufficient and that even when crimes are detected and prosecuted, the level of punishment remains lenient.

According to MBC's "News Desk" on the 3rd, Song Mo (27), an aspiring singer who was active in a band, was found dead at her home last April. Song's family reported that she was a victim of illegal filming and sexual violence by A, a former boyfriend. A is identified as a composer and singer.

A's lawyer denied the allegations, stating, "These are one-sided claims by the accuser; A has never acted in a way that is legally or morally blameworthy."

While illegal filming crimes continue daily, similar crimes targeting minors have not ceased.

Recently, a man in his 20s who secretly filmed sexual intercourse scenes while dating elementary and high school students was sentenced to prison.

On the 4th, the Bucheon Branch of Incheon District Court (Presiding Judge Im Hae-ji) announced that A (25), who was arrested and indicted on charges including violation of the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles Against Sexual Abuse, was sentenced to five years in prison. Investigations revealed that from 2017 to 2018, A dated six victims he met through cosplay club meetings and produced over 100 illegal recordings.

Illegal filming crimes using cameras and other recording devices continue every year. Especially, various types of ultra-small filming devices shaped like smartphones, portable batteries, glasses, and pens are easily purchasable, leading to cases where victims do not even realize they have been filmed illegally.

According to the "Quarterly Crime Trend Report No. 14" by the Korea Institute of Criminology in July, the number of crimes involving filming with cameras and similar devices was 6,086 in 2018 and 5,881 last year. Quarterly occurrences were 833 in Q1 2018, 1,440 in Q2, 1,973 in Q3, 1,840 in Q4, and 956 in Q1 last year, 1,294 in Q2, 1,885 in Q3, and 1,746 in Q4.

Warning Sticker to Prevent Illegal Filming Crimes / Photo by Yonhap News

According to data on illegal filming crimes received by Democratic Party lawmaker Nam In-soon from the National Police Agency, 39,044 illegal filming crimes occurred over seven years from 2012 to 2018.

According to the "Status of First Trial Verdicts for Violations of the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, etc. (Filming Using Cameras, etc.)" obtained by Nam from the Supreme Court, 9,148 people were prosecuted for related charges during the same period. Among them, only 862 defendants (9.4%) received imprisonment or detention sentences. Additionally, 4,788 (52.3%) received fines, 2,749 (30.1%) probation, and 417 (4.6%) had sentences suspended.

Most defendants who committed illegal filming crimes received only lenient punishments. As a result, citizens have raised their voices demanding that the judiciary recognize illegal filming crimes as serious offenses. Some argue that it is necessary to strengthen sentencing through amendments to related laws.

Experts have urged increasing the severity of punishments to prevent recidivism.

Seo Seung-hee, director of the Korea Cyber Sexual Violence Response Center, said, "One of the reasons for the increase in these crimes is the low level of punishment," adding, "Illegal filming crimes have a high rate of recidivism. The high risk of reoffending can be seen as evidence that punishments have been weak."

Seo emphasized, "To prevent recidivism, punishments must be strengthened," and "It is necessary to prepare measures such as establishing sentencing guidelines to properly apply the law."

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This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.