K-Pop suicide sparks a reckoning on revenge porn, sexual assault

Many in South Korea were already aware of her past that included assault by a former boyfriend who she alleged was threatening to release a sex video of her. The two most popular hashtags on social media in South Korea this week called for punishment of the ex-boyfriend and for the definition of sexual assault to be revamped. — AFP

The suicide of a popular South Korean singer has prompted calls in the country to overhaul laws on sexual assault and to more harshly punish revenge porn.

Goo Hara, 28, was found dead at her home in Seoul on Nov 24. Her last message on Instagram showed her staring into a camera lens from beneath blankets on her bed with a message of "good night”. Police say a note was found at the scene in which she expressed hopelessness.