High School Student Arrested for Creating Deepfake Sexual Exploitation Images
A high school student in Incheon was arrested for using deepfake AI technology to create sexual exploitation images of two teachers and eight other students since 2022. Police confirmed over 100 such images on the student's phone and are investigating whether he distributed them via social media.
What happened
A high school second-year student in Incheon was arrested by Incheon Yeonsu Police Station for using deepfake technology to create sexual exploitation images. Starting in 2022 when he was a middle school student through 2025, the student used artificial intelligence deepfake technology to synthesize the faces of two teachers and eight other students onto nude photographs. Police conducted digital forensics on the student's mobile phone and confirmed over 100 sexual exploitation images.
Reported impact
Ten people, including two teachers and students, were identified as victims of the deepfake synthesis. The police stated they had interviewed some of the ten victims and planned additional investigations.
Index analysis
The student was charged under South Korea's Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes with the fabrication of false video materials. Police indicated they would add charges of distributing false video materials if they confirmed the student shared the images via social media or other platforms.
Governance controls
The student was referred for prosecution without arrest pending further investigation.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.