Poster #241 - Typologies of CSEM Offending in South Korean Court Judgments

• In Event: ASC Poster Session I

Abstract

This research aimed to develop a typology of child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) offenses in South Korea, based on court judgments under Article 11 of the Act on the Protection of Children and Youth Against Sex Offenses. A total of 135 judgments from district courts (courts of first instance in South Korea) spanning 2014 to 2023 were systematically collected and examined through latent class analysis (LCA). The LCA results revealed three distinct subgroups of offenders–Individuals Practicing Versatile Sextortion, Individuals Committing Physical Exploitation, and Individuals Coercing Younger Victims–each exhibiting unique offending profiles and behaviors. Significant differences between the groups were also found for several factors, such as the age of the victim, instances of sextortion, and the additional creation of CSEM. This study constitutes an initial empirical exploration of CSEM offenses in South Korea and has substantial implications for crafting customized intervention strategies for people who commit CSEM offences. This study also highlights limitations and future directions, including the need for larger sample sizes, longitudinal studies to track changes over time, and the inclusion of psychological and social factors to further refine offender typologies.

Author

• Bojeong Kang, George Mason University