A Japanese adult website user who repeatedly streamed videos recognized as child and youth sexual exploitation material for about two weeks now faces potential criminal penalties under South Korean law.
Streaming Explicit Material Constitutes Illegal Viewing Under the Law
- Streaming material known to be child and youth sexual exploitation without downloading or saving it still counts as viewing under the law.
- Article 11, Paragraph 5 of the Act on the Protection of Children and Youths against Sex Offenses punishes purchasing, possessing, and viewing with imprisonment with labor for one year or more.
- Using an overseas site or a virtual private network does not exclude the possibility of a police investigation.
Streaming Penalties Under Article 11
Law enforcement and legal practice treat streaming as an offense when the viewer knows the video depicts child and youth sexual exploitation. Article 11, Paragraph 5 of the Act on the Protection of Children and Youths against Sex Offenses sets a minimum penalty of one year of imprisonment with labor for anyone who purchases, possesses, or views such material. This applies directly to simple streaming instances where no local file save occurs on the device.
Investigators Weigh Specific Factors During Overseas Case Reviews
Investigators weigh several concrete elements when determining whether to press charges in these overseas cases. They examine whether the video clearly shows minors, how many times the user accessed the material, the duration of viewing, and the exact circumstances of the connection. Relying on an overseas domain or running a virtual private network does not stop law enforcement agencies from opening an inquiry. At the same time, finding no entry in the Criminal Justice Portal and receiving no immediate contact from police does not guarantee that an investigation will not happen later.
Lawyers Advise Against Searching Case Details Online
Lawyers advise individuals against typing specific case details or related search terms into internet search engines or artificial intelligence services. Digital forensic procedures can uncover these search logs during a later investigation, and the history can negatively influence the final disposition or sentencing. Legal professionals recommend stopping any further viewing, saving, or sharing immediately, leaving existing device data intact without modification, and consulting a defense attorney experienced in criminal cases.
