DP lawmaker Lee Un-ju hospitalized after sexually…
Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Un-ju was hospitalized for severe psychological distress following the online circulation of sexually explicit deepfake…
- Incident date
- Jul 2026
- Target
- Lee Un-ju
On July 5, 2026, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Lee Un-ju was hospitalized following the widespread circulation of sexually explicit deepfake images and abusive online posts targeting her. The incident has resulted in severe psychological distress and stress-related symptoms, with medical professionals advising the representative to abstain from communication or visitors to facilitate her recovery.
What happened
The incident involved the creation and dissemination of pornographic deepfake imagery depicting Rep. Lee across various online communities. These images were accompanied by posts referencing sexual violence, which the lawmaker’s legal representative has formally characterized as malicious digital sexual violence. The legal team noted that these attacks specifically exploit the lawmaker’s gender to damage her professional reputation and personal dignity.
In response to the harassment, Rep. Lee has filed criminal complaints against both the creators of the deepfake content and the individuals responsible for its redistribution. The event has triggered a strong reaction from fellow Democratic Party lawmakers, who have condemned the online activity as a serious crime that transcends standard political criticism. Officials are now calling for a comprehensive investigation and the imposition of strict legal penalties for all parties involved in the creation and sharing of the illicit material.