“My life is not your porn” and “Deepfake is murder” — these were some of the chants heard in a mix of Korean, English, and Chinese on the night of Sept. 3 (local time), directed at the South Korean Embassy in the UK.
Over 100 people, including women from South Korea, China, Japan, and others from around the world, gathered that evening at Trafalgar Square in London. They marched from there, passing Buckingham Palace, and continued to the South Korean Embassy, calling for measures to address the ongoing deepfake sex crime crisis plaguing South Korea.
The march was organized by Chinese feminists based in London, who voiced their support for South Korean women fighting against digital sex crimes, such as deepfakes and illegal filming. Their aim was to raise awareness among women worldwide about these crimes occurring in South Korea.
In a post on their Instagram account (@weareallchainedwomen), the organizers wrote, “The illegal use of hidden cameras and deepfake technology by men to turn women’s everyday lives into pornography is not just a social issue in Korea; it is a widespread problem globally, particularly in East Asian countries.” They also said, “In China, the bravery of Korean feminists has long inspired many to awaken,” adding, “We hope to become each other’s strongest and most loyal sisters, supporting each other to overthrow the patriarchy together!”
A 42-year-old woman from South Asia participating in the march said, “I came out today because I believe in the importance of solidarity among women worldwide, who are all suffering from the effects of misogyny and patriarchy.” The woman, a youth educator and social activist, urged the South Korean government to “introduce new curricula into the education system that teach about women’s safety, online safety, digital sex crimes, the influence of the porn industry, healthy relationships, and gender roles and stereotypes.”
A 27-year-old Korean participant, who works as a documentary filmmaker in the UK, said, “I am standing in front of the South Korean Embassy with a heavy heart” and expressed hope that the “government will strongly punish the perpetrators and accomplices and seek justice for the victims.”
