Teen Uses AI Deepfake to Create Sexual Images of Teachers in Incheon
A middle school student in Incheon, South Korea created deepfake sexual images of five teachers using AI technology and distributed them on social media in August 2024. The student was prosecuted, and prosecutors recommended a prison sentence of 3 years 6 months to 2 years, as the teachers described lasting psychological trauma and professional harm.
What happened
A middle school student created deepfake sexual images by synthesizing the faces of five teachers onto nude photographs using AI technology in August 2024. The student distributed the images on social media platforms and transmitted some to third parties.
The student obtained photographs from one teacher by falsely claiming his phone had formatting issues and requesting the teacher send photos. During trial in June 2026, the student created 35 instances of deepfakes involving five teachers and eleven other people in total.
Reported impact
Three of the five teachers testified in court about lasting psychological and professional harm. One teacher reported trauma from camera sounds and mentions of deepfakes, receiving months of counseling, and expressed fear about teaching for the next 30 years while managing lasting trauma.
The teachers described losing faith in their students and their sense of purpose. One stated that album photography and standing before the class became difficult due to student scrutiny, and that she was managing the situation through psychiatric counseling and medication.
Index analysis
The prosecution argued that the harm was irreversible given the nature of digital sexual crimes and the permanence of distributed content, requesting a prison sentence of 3 years 6 months to 2 years despite the offender's minor status.
Governance controls
The student had not received formal disciplinary measures before withdrawing from school prior to a school protection committee hearing in January 2025, when the teachers discovered the crime.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.