Korea shuts down over 60 websites distributing sexually exploitative material

Korean authorities have shut down over 60 websites this year that were distributing sexually exploitative material, as part of a joint task force effort between the gender equality ministry, the Korea Media and Communications Commission, and the National Police Agency. In April, the task force was formed to better respond to digital sex crimes and provide more support for victims.

The crackdown resulted in the shutdown of 66 websites hosting illegal material and the arrest of 32 website operators, marking a significant increase from the six websites closed in all of the previous year. The latest round of actions targeted websites with servers overseas that refused to cooperate with authorities in removing illegal content.

Authorities also took measures to delete illegally filmed material on 16 of the 66 websites to prevent further redistribution, seizing 2.7 billion won ($2 million) worth of criminal proceeds in the process. This broader interagency effort has also led to a decrease in the number of websites with illegal material accessible to the public, dropping from 6,683 last month.