Party and Government "Strengthening Punishment for Deepfake Sexual Crimes from 5 to 7 Years"

Telegram and Others to Establish Permanent Hotline
Deepfake Control Tower to Be Set Up at the Office for Government Policy Coordination

The People Power Party and the government have decided to strengthen penalties for false videos in response to the growing social controversy over deepfakes. They agreed to establish a dedicated control tower within the Office for Government Policy Coordination for a government-wide response.

On the 29th, People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon and government officials received an urgent briefing on ‘Deepfake Sexual Crime Issues’ at the National Assembly and discussed related measures. After consultations between the party and the government, Kim Sang-hoon, chairman of the People Power Party Policy Committee, said, "Currently, penalties for false videos and illegal recordings are separated," adding, "Illegal recordings are punishable by up to seven years in prison, so we judged that legal measures should be taken to strengthen penalties for false videos from the current five years to seven years."

Regarding Telegram, which serves as a channel for the covert distribution of deepfake sexual crime materials, they also decided to strengthen cooperation with Telegram and promote a permanent hotline for self-regulation of illegal information.

Handonghun, the leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at an emergency briefing on deepfake sex crimes held at the National Assembly on the 29th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

The government also decided to raise the level of its response. Chairman Kim said, "I felt that each ministry was responding individually to deepfake sexual crimes," and added, "The Office for Government Policy Coordination will take on the role of a dedicated control tower." The Ministry of Education will establish a reporting center early next month. Additionally, discussions were held on deleting false videos, conducting prompt investigations, providing medical expenses, and legal support for victims from a mental health perspective.

In his opening remarks at the meeting, leader Han said, "During the 21st National Assembly, there were efforts to revise laws such as the AI Basic Act and the Special Act on Sexual Violence Crimes to prevent the side effects of deepfake technology, but satisfactory results were not achieved," adding, "While humans misuse deepfake technology, humans can also stop it. This issue must be resolved within society, law, and institutions."

People Power Party floor leader Chu Kyung-ho stated, "The AI Basic Act, submitted as a party bill in June, includes provisions requiring AI operators to comply with basic regulations such as prior notification and watermarking for generative AI services to achieve a balanced development of the AI industry and the establishment of a trust-based system," adding, "Although this may not be a direct fundamental solution to the misuse of deepfakes, if this law is passed promptly, the watermarking regulation for operators can contribute to building a trust-based AI environment."

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