Telegram experiences a record increase in teen users amid rising deepfake crimes.

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 👀 Today’s Email about:

• Philippines and Korea: a partnership built on peace and prosperity.

• Telegram experiences a record increase in teen users amid rising deepfake crimes.

• Singer HyunA has issued a warning about taking legal action against malicious comments as she prepares for her upcoming marriage.

NEWS 📰

Philippines and Korea: a partnership built on peace and prosperity.

The Philippines and South Korea have shared a strong and enduring friendship for 75 years, rooted in their commitment to peace, freedom, and prosperity. This partnership began with the Philippines sending over 7,000 soldiers to support South Korea during the Korean War, making it the first Asian nation to do so.

Today, both nations continue to uphold a rules-based international order, crucial for regional stability. As seafaring countries, they share a vested interest in maintaining peace in maritime areas like the South China Sea, advocating for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the framework for managing these waters.

The Philippines closely monitors the Korean Peninsula, supporting the goal of denuclearization and urging North Korea to comply with international obligations. Amid global challenges, the two nations have aligned their strategies, particularly in promoting the rule of law and peaceful resolution of disputes.

Economically, South Korea is a key partner for the Philippines, ranking as its fifth-top trading partner and sixth-largest source of investments in 2023. The two countries are working to deepen their economic ties through agreements like the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreement and the upcoming Philippines-Korea Free Trade Agreement. South Korea is also a significant contributor to the Philippines' development, offering assistance in areas such as infrastructure, climate change, and defense modernization.

People-to-people connections have flourished, with robust tourism exchanges and the integration of Filipino and Korean communities in both nations. South Korean culture, from music to food, has become a beloved part of Filipino popular culture, while the Philippines aims to promote its cultural industries globally.

Looking ahead, the Philippines and South Korea are confident that their partnership, built on shared history and common goals, will continue to strengthen and help them navigate regional and global challenges, ensuring their people's peaceful and prosperous future.

Telegram experiences a record increase in teen users amid rising deepfake crimes.

The number of Korean users on Telegram surged to a record high in August, largely driven by concerns over the illegal distribution of sexually explicit deepfakes on the platform. According to data from Mobile Index, around 100,000 of the new users—about one-third—were teenagers. The total number of active Telegram users in Korea reached 3.47 million in August, marking an increase of 311,130 from the previous month, the largest monthly growth since tracking began in 2021.

Teen users accounted for the most significant growth, with a nearly 100,000 increase, raising their numbers from 411,754 in July to 511,734 in August. In contrast, users in their 50s grew by 28,421 and those in their 60s by only 4,291. Deepfake crimes, which involve manipulating images or videos for sexually exploitative purposes and sharing them on platforms like Telegram, have become a serious issue, particularly affecting minors.

Recent police crackdowns revealed that many perpetrators and victims are teenagers. Of 33 suspects identified in deepfake-related crimes, 31 were teenagers, and six of seven arrested were also minors. A report from the Women’s Human Rights Institute noted that 36.9% of people seeking support for deepfake crimes this year were minors.

Experts are calling for stronger measures, as increased exposure to deepfake controversies has likely fueled curiosity among teens, leading them to Telegram. Heo Min-sook of the National Assembly Research Service stressed the need for harsher penalties for perpetrators and more support for victims, urging a clear message that deepfake crimes are severe offenses.

ENTERTAINMENT 🌄

Singer HyunA has issued a warning about taking legal action against malicious comments as she prepares for her upcoming marriage.

Singer HyunA’s agency, AT AREA, has strongly condemned the spread of baseless rumors about her, especially following her recent announcement of marriage to Yong Jun-hyung. The agency stated that defamatory comments have reached an unacceptable level, particularly after the release of their wedding photos.

AT AREA expressed frustration with the proliferation of false information and announced that it will no longer tolerate malicious rumors. The agency revealed that legal action is being prepared to address personal attacks and false claims, with no leniency or settlements to be considered.

HyunA and Yong Jun-hyung, a former member of the K-pop group BEAST, revealed their relationship publicly in January. They announced their engagement in July and are set to marry in a private ceremony on October 11 at Samcheonggak in Seoul.

Earlier rumors suggesting a premarital pregnancy were denied by HyunA’s side. HyunA initially debuted with Wonder Girls in 2007, left the group the same year, and re-debuted with 4Minute in 2009. Yong debuted with BEAST in 2009, left the group in 2019, and has since pursued a solo career.

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