Civil Servant on Trial for Creating AI Photo Depicting Subordinate as Romantic Partner

Local Government Official Creates Composite Photo of Subordinate Female Employee

A local government official has been brought to trial for creating an AI-generated fake photo that depicted himself and a subordinate female employee as if they were in a romantic relationship, and posting it as his KakaoTalk messenger profile picture.

On April 24, the Women and Children Crime Investigation Division of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office announced that it had indicted a local government official, referred to as A, without detention on charges including editing and distributing false visual materials and defamation under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes.

Prosecutors. Yonhap News Agency

Mr. A is accused of creating a fake photo in November of last year, making it appear as though he and a subordinate female employee working in the same department were in a romantic relationship, and posting it on his KakaoTalk profile.

The prosecution reviewed the victim's testimony and relevant legal principles, emphasizing that everyone has the right not to be sexually objectified against their will. In particular, considering the appearance of the victim in the fake photo and the context portrayed in the image, the prosecution determined that it could arouse sexual desire or cause feelings of shame.

A prosecution official stated, "We will do our utmost to maintain the prosecution, while also ensuring the protection of victims of sexual crimes, including those harmed by deepfakes."

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