South Korean women protest against ‘New Nth Room’ deepfake scandal

South Korean women protest against ‘New Nth Room’ deepfake scandal, demanding government action to protect victims.

The Seoul Women’s Association, alongside university student groups advocating for minority rights, held an emergency press briefing near Gangnam Station in Seoul, South Korea, on Thursday afternoon. 

The gathering aimed to demand immediate government and National Assembly action against online sex crimes, particularly the distribution of pornographic deepfakes.

According to the South Korean news outlet Hankyoreh, the group criticized the government’s delayed and short-lived responses to previous online sex crime scandals, such as the Soranet case and the Nth Room incident. They called for thorough investigations to expose the truth, punish offenders, and implement effective preventive measures.

The speakers highlighted the dangers of social media, noting how easily everyday online activities can lead to victimization through the creation and sharing of deepfake content. These deepfake images are being distributed across various online platforms, including illicit Telegram-based chatrooms referred to as "The New Nth Room." 

This name references the infamous "Nth Room" case, where similar crimes involving the creation and distribution of sexual deepfakes were committed. The group urged the public to recognize the creation and consumption of pornographic deepfakes as criminal acts and to stand in solidarity with the victims.

In response to the growing issue, the Seoul Women’s Association and other organizations have formed a joint action coalition. Starting August 30, they plan to hold weekly events near Gangnam Station to maintain a continuous dialogue about these digital sex crimes.

A coalition of women’s rights organizations, including the Korean Women’s Associations United and the Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center, also issued a statement demanding comprehensive policies to protect digital citizens. 

They criticized the Yoon Suk-yeol administration’s stance on systemic sexism and its reduction of support for victims of violence against women, calling for the restoration of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family’s budget and stronger regulations for online platforms.