[Yonhap Photo]
South Korea's cabinet, chaired by President Moon Jae-in, worked out measures to curb crimes taking furtive pictures with secret or hidden cameras targeting young women at company bathrooms, public restrooms and other private places.
The cabinet called for regular inspection of subways and other public facilities to detect hidden cameras, advanced technology using bid data that could block the distribution of illicit footages and pornographic material in real time, and tight regulations on imports and sales of cameras modified for illegal purposes.
State regulators will be allowed to delete or block illegal online footages more easily and quickly while internet service providers will be asked to do so. Distributors will face tough punishment.
Secret cameras used to take candid shots of women have been a social issue, although violators can be sentenced to a maximum jail term of five years. Numerous cases have been reported. In November last year, four male swimmers were indicted for installing hidden cameras in the dressing rooms of swimming pools.
Moon has vowed to build a safe society for women, portraying himself as a "feminist president".
