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| Photo: SM Entertainment logo |
[Sports Today reporter Lim Si-ryeong] SM Entertainment announced it will adopt a zero-tolerance policy toward deepfake crimes.
On April 10, SM Entertainment (hereinafter SM) said on its official account that it is pursuing legal action against conduct that seriously harms its artists’ personal standing, including the spread of false information, defamation, sexual harassment, deepfakes, personal attacks, insults and invasions of privacy.
The company emphasized that producing, distributing, or possessing illegal pornographic composites not only sexually humiliates and mocks artists—causing profound shame—but, when composites are sophisticated, can create the false impression that the artist is actually depicted. Such misunderstandings can lead to severe defamation and lasting reputational damage. Because these acts constitute serious crimes, SM said it is continuously cooperating with investigative authorities by collecting evidence and filing complaints, and it is actively urging courts to impose strict sentences.
According to SM, authorities have arrested most of the suspects involved in the deepfake cases handled so far. The company said that 12 individuals were handed prison terms on charges including violations of the Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes and Other Acts, etc. (distribution of false video materials). Despite the defendants’ appeals to higher courts, all appeals were dismissed, the sentences were finalized, and the individuals are currently serving time.
SM added that many perpetrators sought to evade detection by sharing illegal pornographic composites on overseas social media platforms that offer a high degree of anonymity. The company said it is working closely with multiple U.S. law firms and that tracing investigations by authorities have led to the arrest of these individuals as well; related investigations are ongoing.
▲ Full official statement from SM Entertainment below.
Hello. This is SM Entertainment.
We are providing an update on our ongoing legal measures.
We are pursuing legal action against anyone who causes serious harm to our artists’ personal standing, including the spread of false information, defamation, sexual harassment, deepfakes, personal attacks, insults, and invasions of privacy.
In particular, producing, distributing, or possessing illegal pornographic composites not only sexually humiliates and ridicules artists—causing profound shame—but when composites are sophisticated, they can create the false impression that the artist is the person depicted. That can result in serious defamation and significant damage to the artist’s image. Because these actions are grave crimes, we continuously cooperate with investigative agencies by collecting evidence and filing complaints, and we actively petition courts to impose strict punishment.
As a result, most suspects in the deepfake cases handled to date have been arrested. Twelve people — Park** (4 years in prison, 5-year employment ban, 80 hours in a sexual violence treatment program), Lee** (3 years 6 months in prison, 5-year employment ban, 40 hours in a sexual violence treatment program), Ko** (3 years in prison, 5-year employment ban, 80 hours in a sexual violence treatment program), Lee** (3 years in prison, 5-year employment ban, 40 hours in a sexual violence treatment lecture), Oh** (2 years 6 months in prison, 5-year employment ban, 40 hours in a sexual violence treatment program), Cha** (2 years 6 months in prison, 5-year employment ban, 80 hours in a sexual violence treatment program), and others — were sentenced to prison on charges including violations of the Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes and Other Acts, etc. (distribution of false video materials). Their appeals and subsequent appeals were dismissed, their sentences were finalized, and they are currently incarcerated.
Most deepfake perpetrators shared illegal pornographic composites on overseas social media platforms to exploit anonymity and avoid detection. We are cooperating closely with multiple U.S. law firms, and tracing investigations by authorities have led to arrests without exception. Related investigations remain in progress.
Criminal penalties for producing, distributing, or possessing deepfakes are being enforced strictly. Please exercise extreme caution to avoid becoming involved in such misconduct.
We are deeply grateful to Telegram, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Discord, DCInside, and other platforms for assisting in disseminating this notice.
We will continue to prioritize protecting our artists’ rights and will do our utmost in every area.
[Sports Today reporter Lim Si-ryeong ent@stoo.com]
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