South Korea establishes a team to hunt for hidden cameras filming women in public places

The government of the capital Seoul - South Korea has established a hidden camera hunting team to prevent clips of women secretly filmed in public places from being posted online.

These secret videos and photos - called Molkas - are usually taken by people who attach cameras to shoes or clothes and aim them up women's skirts on public transport or elevators. They can also appear in toilets or changing rooms.

These clips and images are then shared in private online groups or posted on pornographic websites.

Police figures show that spycam cases in the capital Seoul increased from 990 in 2012 to 3,638 in 2015. "Almost all the victims are women. They suffer mental damage," Nam Myung Hee, a member of the spycam hunting team, told the BBC.

South Korea's hidden camera hunting team. Photo: JUHYOSANG

Ms. Hee, a 47-year-old woman, works for one of 25 camera-hunting teams across Seoul that were established earlier this year. From August to September, the team searched more than 9,500 locations across the city but did not find any hidden cameras.

The group also distributed leaflets about the hidden camera situation, and Ms. Hee believes their campaign has been successful in raising public awareness about Molka.

"I was skeptical about the effectiveness of the campaign even when I became a member of the hidden camera hunting group. But when I saw people's reactions, I thought it was worth it," Ms. Hee explained.

According to Mr. Se Woong Koo, working at Expose magazine, secretly filming women in sensitive positions, along with misogyny in South Korea, is also a reaction to the country's changing gender roles. "This is a society with a low crime rate. However, when it comes to sex crimes, it's a different matter," Mr. Se commented.

"More and more men believe that women are given rights they don't deserve. I think sex crimes in Korea are a way to express anger towards women. They want revenge and Molka is an easy way," Mr. Se added, adding that many women lose their jobs or have their relationships broken after falling victim to Molka.

Despite extensive searches, the team had little success in detecting hidden cameras. Photo: JUHYOSANG

If a hidden camera is discovered, a report will be sent to the police for investigation. Once charged, the perpetrator can face up to five years in prison or a maximum fine of 10 million won (about $8,500).

However, Mr. Se believes that Molka will not truly end until the government comes up with harsher penalties. "In 70% of cases that go to court, many people get away with just fines or suspended sentences," Mr. Se revealed.

Since 2004, South Korea has banned the sale of phones that allow users to mute the shutter sound when taking photos. However, according to the Korea Times, there is no way to limit the popularity of silent camera apps on smartphones today.

According to Laborer