From grassroots advocacy to AI governance: lessons from South Korea’s 2024 deepfake sexual abuse crisis on democratising knowledge and policy

This study examines how non-consensual synthetic intimate imagery (NSII) became socially constructed as a critical problem in South Korea following the 2024 deepfake sexual abuse crisis. The research reveals how diverse claim makers propelled recognition of NSII as a criminal issue, initiating swift reforms strengthened statutes, victim support, and AI governance. While these measures highlight an innovative, citizen-driven strategy, barriers remain in transnational detection and cross-border cooperation.

The study underscores the need for international governance frameworks and suggests that South Korea’s grassroots approach offers comparative insights for other jurisdictions seeking to build institutional knowledge and responses to this novel crime.