Chinese man arrested for secretly filming women at Seongsu-dong cafe, barred from leaving S. Korea

A Chinese man has been arrested on suspicion of secretly filming women at a cafe in Seoul's Seongsu-dong and barred from leaving the country.

The Seoul Seongdong Police Station is investigating the man, identified only as Mr. A, a Chinese national in his 20s, on charges of violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes — specifically the provision on filming using cameras and similar devices.

Mr. A is accused of using his mobile phone to secretly film women at a cafe in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, at around 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

Police responded after receiving a report that someone was covertly filming others, arrested Mr. A at the scene and seized his mobile phone.

An investigation confirmed he had entered the country in late July as a tourist from China. Police barred him from departing on Wednesday, Aug. 5. His phone also contained evidence suggesting he had secretly filmed other women on separate occasions.

Police said they plan to continue the investigation, including looking into whether he committed additional offenses.