Inspectors from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Jongno Police Station check for hidden cameras in a public women's bathroom near an outdoor stage for performances in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Aug. 18. / Yonhap



By Chyung Eun-ju

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family will expand financial support for sexual offense victims, starting next year.

The ministry will set up a 700 million won ($622,000) fund for the victims of hidden cameras, revenge porn and other forms of digital sexual harassment.

The money will go toward investigating, deleting and monitoring websites, according to minister Jung Hyun-baek on Tuesday.

The ministry will also establish a historical museum and research center for Korean victims of sex slavery for the Japanese military during World War II, who are known as "comfort women."

The ministry will also spend 41.5 billion won to help victims of gender abuse. Initiatives include building two more shelters for migrant women who have been physically abused and seven support centers for children and young adults who have been trafficked for sex..

The ministry's operating budget for next year is 768 billion won, up by 7.9 percent from last year.

The ministry will submit its 2018 Budget and Operation Plan to the National Assembly on Sept. 1, when the Moon Jae-in administration's first plenary meeting is held at the National Assembly.

On Tuesday, President Moon called for stronger efforts to prevent hidden camera crimes against women and provide support for victims of such crimes.

"President Moon again urged for government measures to completely remove concerns of females through strong legal actions against hidden camera crimes and strong measures to help minimize damage to the victims," Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Park Soo-hyun said in a press release.

A total of 983 people were apprehended for offenses related to using hidden cameras between July 1 and Aug. 20, according to the National Police Agency.