Moreover, as the metaverse316) market continues to grow and young adults begin to use the
metaverse platform,317) discussions on the need to regulate sexual harassment in the digital
environment are also beginning. In Jan. 2022, the Digital Sexual Crimes Expert Committee
of the Ministry of Justice recommended the establishment of new provisions related to
“sexual personality rights” in the Sexual Crimes Punishment Act to regulate the act of
sexually targeting others in the digital space as a sex crime.318)
The National Assembly submitted a bill has been proposed in to establish an obligation
for online platform operators, such as Metaverse, to immediately report to the investigative
agency once they become aware of related crimes, such as sexually exploiting conversations
with children and adolescents, in the information and communication network operated and
managed by them,319) a bill to establish new penalty provisions for sexual violence against
avatars in virtual space,320) and a bill that prohibits stalking and acts that cause sexual shame
or disgust by using avatars in virtual spaces and establishes new penalty provisions,321) etc.322)
The NHRCK also recommended to establish policies for the prevention and protection of
violence against children in the digital environment, such as strengthening the support
system for the victims of digital sexual violence, through the recommendation of the 4th
National Action Plans for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (Human Rights
NAP) in July 2022.
digital technology and online space without actual meeting.
316) Metaverse is a combination of “Meta” meaning “processing, abstract” and “Universe” meaning the real world, and
refers a three-dimensional virtual world.
317) As of Jan. 2021, according to a survey by Nielsen Korea, the main users of the Metaverse are teenagers, with the
proportion of teenagers accounting for 60-70% of ZEPETO and Roblox users among the Metaverse services.
318) MOJ Press Release, Jan. 28, 2022.
319) Co-Sponsored by 10 representatives, including Rep. Gang, Seon-woo, “Partial Amendment to the Act on the
Protection of Children and Youth Against Sex Offenses,” Bill No. 2114465, Jan. 28, 2022.
320) Co-Sponsored by 13 representatives, including Rep. Min, Hyeong-bae, “Partial Amendment to the Act on Special
Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes,” Bill No. 2115468, May 2, 2022.
321) Co-Sponsored by 11 representatives, including Rep. Yoon, Yeong-deok, “Partial Amendment to the Act on Promotion
of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection,” Bill No. 2116686, Jul. 27,
2022
322) Minbyun, Lawyers for a Democratic Society, 2022 Report on Human Rights in Korea, Dec. 2022.
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