Seoul Wins UN Public Service Award for Combatting Digital Sex Crimes
The Seoul Metropolitan Government made headlines by receiving a prestigious UN Public Service Award for its groundbreaking efforts in combatting digital sex crimes. The city’s comprehensive policies were recognized at the UN Public Service Forum held in Songdo, Incheon.
Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, and UN Under Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua, joined by representatives from 100 countries, gathered at the event to celebrate Seoul’s achievement.
This year’s UN Public Service Awards focused on three categories: innovation in public institutions, gender-responsive public services, and tackling climate change. Seoul Metropolitan Government emerged victorious in the gender-responsive public services category for its initiatives against digital sex crimes.
Among the recipients of this year’s esteemed awards, the city government of Seoul stood out as the sole winner from South Korea, showcasing the effectiveness of its policies in addressing this critical issue. The city’s response plan consists of early prevention, intervention, victim support, and recurrence prevention, emphasizing a holistic approach to combat digital sex crimes.
In light of the infamous Nth Room case in 2020, where numerous women and girls were exploited, Seoul’s proactive measures have been instrumental in assisting victims and removing sexually exploitative content from the internet. The Seoul Digital Sex Crime Victim Support Center offers victims a range of services, including reporting to the police, legal assistance, counseling, and medical support.
By leveraging artificial intelligence surveillance technology, the city government has successfully identified and deleted over 572,000 sexually exploitative videos online, demonstrating its commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals.
Receiving the UN Public Service Award is a testament to Seoul’s dedication to leveraging digital technology for the greater good. Mayor Oh expressed pride in the city government’s accomplishments, highlighting the importance of using innovative policies to support victims of injustice.
This accolade marks the second time in five years that the Seoul Metropolitan Government has been honored with a UN Public Service Award, underscoring its commitment to promoting social justice and human rights through impactful initiatives.
