{
  "id": 9097909,
  "title": "Korea shuts down over 60 websites distributing sexually exploitative material",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/korea-shuts-down-over-60-websites-distributing-sexually-exploitative",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-22T06:32:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/law-crime/20260922/korea-shuts-down-over-60-websites-distributing-sexually-exploitative-material"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Korean authorities have taken significant action this year to combat the distribution of sexually exploitative material online. In a coordinated effort between multiple agencies, over 60 illegal websites have been shut down, marking a sharp increase from the six websites closed in the previous year. The joint task force, comprising the gender equality ministry, the Korea Media and Communications Commission, and the National Police Agency, has been working to strengthen support for victims and crack down on digital sex crimes.\n\nThe crackdown focused on websites with servers located overseas that refused to work with authorities to remove illegal content. Police successfully caught 32 website operators involved in distributing such material. Additionally, authorities remotely deleted illegally filmed content on 16 of the 66 websites to prevent further distribution. Criminal proceeds amounting to 2.7 billion won ($2 million) were also seized during the operation.\n\nAs a result of these efforts, the number of websites with illegal material accessible to the public has decreased from 6,683 last month. This concerted interagency approach demonstrates Korea's commitment to addressing the growing issue of digital sex crimes and protecting its citizens from harmful online content.",
  "summary": "Korean authorities closed more than 60 illegal websites distributing sexually exploitative material this year in an interagency crackdown on digital sex crimes, officials said Tuesday. In April, the gender equality ministry, the Korea Media and Communications Commission and the National Police Agency formed a joint task force to better respond to such crimes and strengthen support for victims.…",
  "key_points": [
    "Over 60 illegal websites shut down in coordinated Korean crackdown",
    "Joint task force of three agencies combats digital sex crimes",
    "$2.7 million in criminal proceeds seized during operation"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Korea's intensified crackdown on digital sex crimes marks a significant shift in its approach to protecting citizens from harmful online content, with authorities now actively targeting overseas-based websites.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "S. Korea shuts down over 60 websites distributing sexually exploitative material",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/s-korea-shuts-down-over-60-websites-distributing-sexually",
        "published": "2026-09-22T06:00:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Korea shuts down over 60 websites distributing sexually exploitative material",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/korea-shuts-down-over-60-websites-distributing-sexually-exploitative-9099970",
        "published": "2026-09-22T06:47:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}