By Jung Min-ho
Fear of being photographed or filmed using hidden cameras is spreading as a video clip showing the naked bodies of more than 100 women at a water park shower room went viral this week.
Police said Wednesday they believe the 10-minute video footage titled, "Korean Water Park Shower Hidden Cam Videos Released," was filmed last year before being released on a U.S.-based website. A woman in her 20s is suspected of having secretly recorded the footage, according to the police.
The video is now being shared through websites and social media outlets, after the incident made headlines earlier this week.
Police Tuesday began an investigation after a complaint from the Everland Resort, a company that owns the Caribbean Bay water park. It is unclear whether the video was actually filmed there, with Everland officials saying they filed the complaint because the footage may make people avoid all water parks across the country.
The footage shows the faces and private parts of females, including some who appear to be minors, police said.
This is the latest major crime involving hidden cameras, and such crimes have left many people, especially women, fearing for their privacy.
"I'm horrified by the thought that someone may record my naked body using secret cameras in public places," a 32-year-old woman, surnamed Lim, said.
"The scariest thing is that it could happen to anyone. And there is almost nothing I can do about it," a 25-year-old woman, who refused to be named, said. "I know a couple that even called off their engagement because of such an incident."
Over the past few years, crimes of secretly taking photos or recording videos of people's private parts with hidden cameras have risen sharply. Such photos and footage are easily found on file-sharing websites and online communities.
"I think most women have no idea how widespread such videos are," a 30-year-old man, surnamed Park, said. "I am actually surprised by the fact the video leakage became an issue. There are plenty of others online."
Thanks to the growth of mobile phones, digital cameras and the Internet, surveillance technology has become far more widely available. The size of such gadgets gets smaller and the price of them is falling, resulting in more invasions of privacy.
According to the National Police Agency, the number of crimes involving hidden cameras increased from 2,400 in 2012 to 6,623 last year.
Under the law, those taking or distributing such photos or videos via hidden cameras could face up to five years in prison or a maximum of 10 million won ($8,500) in fines. However, most offenders are fined, while few end up with a prison sentence.
Fear of being photographed or filmed using hidden cameras is spreading as a video clip showing the naked bodies of more than 100 women at a water park shower room went viral this week.
Police said Wednesday they believe the 10-minute video footage titled, "Korean Water Park Shower Hidden Cam Videos Released," was filmed last year before being released on a U.S.-based website. A woman in her 20s is suspected of having secretly recorded the footage, according to the police.
The video is now being shared through websites and social media outlets, after the incident made headlines earlier this week.
Police Tuesday began an investigation after a complaint from the Everland Resort, a company that owns the Caribbean Bay water park. It is unclear whether the video was actually filmed there, with Everland officials saying they filed the complaint because the footage may make people avoid all water parks across the country.
The footage shows the faces and private parts of females, including some who appear to be minors, police said.
This is the latest major crime involving hidden cameras, and such crimes have left many people, especially women, fearing for their privacy.
"I'm horrified by the thought that someone may record my naked body using secret cameras in public places," a 32-year-old woman, surnamed Lim, said.
"The scariest thing is that it could happen to anyone. And there is almost nothing I can do about it," a 25-year-old woman, who refused to be named, said. "I know a couple that even called off their engagement because of such an incident."
Over the past few years, crimes of secretly taking photos or recording videos of people's private parts with hidden cameras have risen sharply. Such photos and footage are easily found on file-sharing websites and online communities.
"I think most women have no idea how widespread such videos are," a 30-year-old man, surnamed Park, said. "I am actually surprised by the fact the video leakage became an issue. There are plenty of others online."
Thanks to the growth of mobile phones, digital cameras and the Internet, surveillance technology has become far more widely available. The size of such gadgets gets smaller and the price of them is falling, resulting in more invasions of privacy.
According to the National Police Agency, the number of crimes involving hidden cameras increased from 2,400 in 2012 to 6,623 last year.
Under the law, those taking or distributing such photos or videos via hidden cameras could face up to five years in prison or a maximum of 10 million won ($8,500) in fines. However, most offenders are fined, while few end up with a prison sentence.
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