Typologies of CSEM Offending in South Korean Court Judgments.

Abstract

This research aimed to develop a typology of individuals adjudicated for 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-Versatile Sextortion, Physical Exploitation, and 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, provides evidence of a heterogenous group, and has substantial implications for crafting customized intervention strategies for people who commit CSEM offenses.