Photo : YONHAP News
The government has approved changes to a law on the punishment of sex crimes that will toughen penalties for deepfake sex offenses and make it a crime to view and possess deepfake content.
The Cabinet approved the bill Thursday during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.
Under the newly revised Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, people caught possessing, purchasing, storing or viewing deepfake sexual content face up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won, about 22-thousand U.S. dollars.
The production and distribution of deepfake sexual content will carry a maximum penalty of seven years in prison, as compared with the current five years.
For deepfake crimes committed for profit, there will be a minimum penalty of three years’ imprisonment.
The use of deepfake sexual content for blackmail purposes can now result in a sentence of one year in prison.
The revised legislation will take effect immediately after President Yoon Suk Yeol approves it and the government posts it on its official gazette.
The Cabinet also approved two related bills, one of which establishes the government’s responsibility for deleting deepfake sexual content and supporting victims.
Another will strengthen penalties for threats and coercion targeting children.