In a shocking revelation, an Australian TikToker living in South Korea has issued a travel warning regarding the prevalent issue of hidden spy cameras in the country. Jazmyn Jennings, an Australian TikTok creator, highlighted the problem and provided advice to combat this disturbing phenomenon, known as “molka” in South Korea. Since its release in March, her video has garnered over 7.3 million views on the platform.
Jennings expressed her concern about the widespread problem, stating, “South Korea has a really huge problem with hidden cameras.” She emphasized that the issue extended beyond public toilets, encompassing private areas such as Airbnbs, hotel rooms, and other places where individuals run the risk of being exposed to hidden cameras. To counter this invasion of privacy, she recommended purchasing a hidden camera detector, as these devices can locate concealed cameras by scanning for RF signals.
The problem of illegal filming has been on the rise in South Korea since 2011. In response, the city of Seoul deployed “safety sheriffs” armed with hidden camera detectors during a crackdown in 2018. Their mandate was to conduct regular inspections of public bathrooms throughout the city, although the current status of this strategy remains unclear. In 2019, South Korean police arrested two men for live-streaming footage of 1,600 motel guests from hidden cameras installed in 42 rooms across the country.
The severity of the issue was further exposed when K-POP star Jung Joon-young was sentenced to six years in prison for distributing secretly recorded videos of his sexual encounters with women. Thousands of people protested under the slogan “my life is not your porn,” prompting the police to increase penalties for such offenses.
Hidden camera detectors, as suggested by Jennings, have become an essential tool in combating this insidious problem. Security company Norton explained that these detectors scan for RF signals and alert users to the presence of hidden cameras through sound or light indicators. Hidden cameras have become increasingly discreet, concealed in unsuspecting objects like fire alarm systems, clocks, and alarm clocks.
The issue of hidden cameras in South Korea has also been the subject of the documentary film “Open Shutters.” Directed by Youjin Do, the film follows a journalist who uncovers the pervasive problem while investigating it, only to realize that she herself is being watched. Do took to Instagram to express her dismay, describing the consumption of such footage by many men as a disturbing part of the deep-rooted rape culture within Korean society.
As awareness grows about the issue of hidden cameras in South Korea, it is crucial for authorities and individuals to take decisive action to protect privacy and combat this invasion of personal space.
