Kim Seong-cheol, second from left, director general at the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family’s safety and human rights policy division, speaks during a press briefing at Government Complex Seoul, Tuesday. Newsis
Offenses involving digital sex crimes by current or former partners are making up a growing portion of sexual violence in Korea, a new government report showed Tuesday, although the country is experiencing an overall decline in several forms of sexual violence.
It also said victim-blaming perceptions and secondary victimization remain high.
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family released the results of its comprehensive 2025 survey on sexual violence among 10,151 men and women aged 19 to 64, based on a nationwide study conducted every three years under the Sexual Violence Prevention and Victims Protection Act.
Findings showed that lifetime victimization rates for several major offenses have fallen, compared with 2022. The lifetime prevalence of sexual violence involving means of communication — such as phones and online platforms — decreased from 9.8 percent to 7.6 percent, while sexual harassment fell from 3.9 percent to 2.4 percent and rape, including attempts, from 0.2 percent to 0.1 percent.
