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Korea spycam porn: 1,600 fall victim and four men arrested | Korea spycam porn: 1,600 fall victim and four men arrested |
(about 13 hours later) | |
Four men have been arrested in South Korea, accused of secretly filming 1,600 hotel room guests and selling the footage via a website. | Four men have been arrested in South Korea, accused of secretly filming 1,600 hotel room guests and selling the footage via a website. |
Mini-cameras were installed in TVs, hair-dryer holders and sockets. The men allegedly earned $6,200. | Mini-cameras were installed in TVs, hair-dryer holders and sockets. The men allegedly earned $6,200. |
If convicted, they face up to 10 years in prison and a 30m won ($26,571; £20,175) fine. | If convicted, they face up to 10 years in prison and a 30m won ($26,571; £20,175) fine. |
The covert filming of sex and nudity in South Korea has been described as an epidemic and has sparked protests. | |
Speaking to the BBC, Korean police said the men set up the 1mm lens cameras last August in 30 separate hotels across 10 South Korean cities. | Speaking to the BBC, Korean police said the men set up the 1mm lens cameras last August in 30 separate hotels across 10 South Korean cities. |
In November, a website was then created, allowing users to pay for full videos or watch 30-second clips for free. | In November, a website was then created, allowing users to pay for full videos or watch 30-second clips for free. |
The men reportedly posted 803 videos and evaded the law by basing the website server overseas. | The men reportedly posted 803 videos and evaded the law by basing the website server overseas. |
Police said the men earned money from 97 paying members before the site was taken down this month. | Police said the men earned money from 97 paying members before the site was taken down this month. |
"The police agency strictly deals with criminals who post and share illegal videos as they severely harm human dignity," a spokesman for the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency told local newspaper the Korea Herald. | "The police agency strictly deals with criminals who post and share illegal videos as they severely harm human dignity," a spokesman for the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency told local newspaper the Korea Herald. |
Producing and disseminating pornography is illegal in South Korea. | Producing and disseminating pornography is illegal in South Korea. |
The ban - along with the country's fast internet access - has been blamed for the prevalence of hidden filming. | The ban - along with the country's fast internet access - has been blamed for the prevalence of hidden filming. |
Many videos are taken secretly in toilets and changing rooms, or posted by ex-partners out for revenge. | Many videos are taken secretly in toilets and changing rooms, or posted by ex-partners out for revenge. |
The country saw more than 6,000 cases reported in 2017, up from 2,400 in 2012. | The country saw more than 6,000 cases reported in 2017, up from 2,400 in 2012. |
More than 5,400 people were arrested for spy camera related crimes in 2017, but fewer than 2% were jailed. | More than 5,400 people were arrested for spy camera related crimes in 2017, but fewer than 2% were jailed. |
Anger at the widespread use of filming prompted a series of protests last year in the capital Seoul, with calls for tougher sentencing. | Anger at the widespread use of filming prompted a series of protests last year in the capital Seoul, with calls for tougher sentencing. |
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