Public Official Investigated for Synthesizing Colleague's Face Using Generative AI

A public official from a district office in Seoul is under police investigation for allegedly synthesizing a female colleague's face using generative artificial intelligence (AI) and posting it on his social media. Official A is accused of synthesizing a photo of his colleague, Ms. B, downloaded from the district office's organizational chart in November last year, using generative AI. The synthesized image depicted scenes that appeared to involve physical contact, such as Ms. B embracing him or placing her hand on his shoulder. Mr. A is accused of posting this image on his SNS profile.

Ms. B, upon becoming aware of the incident, filed a complaint with the police accusing Mr. A of violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning Sexual Crimes and defamation. Consequently, the police booked Mr. A on charges of defamation and proceeded with the investigation. The police determined that the synthesized material did not meet the threshold for charges under the Act on Special Cases Concerning Sexual Crimes and decided not to forward those charges. However, they proceeded to send the case to the prosecution on defamation charges.

Mr. A, who was suspended from his position following the commencement of the police investigation, has been reinstated and assigned to a resident center within the district after the decision not to prosecute on sexual offense charges. In January, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office requested supplementary investigation from the police regarding this case, and the Guro Police Station is currently conducting further inquiries based on that request.