"Result of Deep-Rooted Misogyny"... Six Women's University Student Councils Condemn Deepfake Scandal

"Condemning the Atrocity of Ignoring the Reality of Misogynistic Crimes"

Participants in the memorial event for the Gangnam Station female murder case are urging an end to discrimination and violence against women. Stock photo unrelated to the article / Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

In response to the 'deepfake sexual crime' incident, the student councils of six women's universities in Seoul, including Sookmyung Women's University, issued a critical statement on the 29th, calling it "a result of the deeply rooted rape culture and misogyny under a patriarchal society."

The Emergency Committee of the Sookmyung Women's University Student Council stated in their declaration, "This incident occurred because crimes of sexual exploitation against women have neither been fundamentally resolved nor eradicated," and pointed out, "Everyone who had the opportunity to prepare measures to prevent recurrence but failed to take practical action is both a bystander and a perpetrator." The statement was also supported by the student councils of Sungshin Women's University, Duksung Women's University, Dongduk Women's University, Baewha Women's University, and Hanyang Women's University, along with 60 organizations within Sookmyung Women's University.

Referring to past digital sexual crimes against women such as the 'Nth Room' case, they expressed, "We are appalled by a society where digital sexual exploitation crimes targeting women occur continuously and systematically." They further defined the current deepfake sexual crime incident as "virtually a national disaster," and condemned "the atrocities of perpetrators who still ignore and deny the reality of misogynistic crimes."

Joint Statement of the Student Councils of Six Women's Universities in Seoul: "Where Should We Live?"
[Image Source=Photo by Sookmyung Women's University Student Council Emergency Committee Instagram]

They also raised their voices, asking, "At this point where women are targeted for crimes solely because they are women, regardless of generation, occupation, or appearance, does a safe space for women even exist? Where are we, as women, supposed to live?" They emphasized, "The indifference and silence of Korean society have allowed women to be consumed not as individuals but as 'playthings' for others," adding, "This has entrenched a culture that views and despises women as sexual objects."

Moreover, they stressed the need for solidarity to protect women's dignity and rights, stating, "While spaces where women can live safely have disappeared, ruthless massacres targeting women continue in the infinite digital space."

Meanwhile, concerns are growing as large-scale group chats suspected of creating and distributing deepfake pornography have been discovered on social networking services (SNS) including Telegram. In response, the ruling party and government have decided to pursue legislative measures to strengthen the maximum penalty for distributing 'false videos' from the current maximum of five years in prison to seven years, aligning it with penalties for 'illegal filming.' Additionally, they plan to supplement legislation to include not only those who distribute deepfake content but also those who produce it as subjects of punishment.

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