"Broker Tips Off Search and Seizure in Advance"... Police Launch Investigation into 'Hwang Ui-jo Investigation Information Leak Suspicion'

Seoul Police Chief "Strong Response"

The police have launched an investigation following claims by soccer player Hwang Ui-jo (32), who was handed over to the prosecution on charges of illegal filming and secondary victimization, that investigation information was leaked in advance.

Hwang Ui-jo. [Photo by Yonhap News]

At a press conference on the 14th, Jo Ji-ho, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated, "We have a strong and firm stance regarding the suspicion that investigation secrets were leaked," adding, "We consider this an act that undermines the fundamentals of investigation and will conduct a proper investigation to impose strict punishment."

Earlier, Hwang’s side reportedly claimed that a broker approached Hwang demanding money in exchange for quashing the investigation and informed him of the location and timing of the search and seizure. They said investigation information was relayed in real time, such as "the police will arrive in one hour."

Regarding this, Commissioner Jo emphasized, "This is information that only investigative agencies would know, and since some of it actually matches, we are taking it very seriously," adding, "There are limits to internal inspection, and since this is a matter that goes beyond violation of service regulations to illegality, it is subject to investigation."

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Anti-Corruption and Public Crime Investigation Unit is in charge of the investigation into this suspicion. The police are expected to verify whether investigation information was actually leaked in connection with Hwang’s case and, if so, through what channels.

Meanwhile, on the 8th, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Cyber Investigation Division sent Hwang to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office without detention on charges of violating the Sexual Violence Punishment Act (filming and possession using a camera, etc.). Hwang’s lawyer, Kim, was also sent on charges of violating the Sexual Violence Punishment Act (disclosure of secrets).

Last year in June, Hwang filed a complaint with the police against a netizen who claimed to be Hwang’s ex-girlfriend and shared photos and videos of Hwang and women on Instagram, accusing them of threats and other charges. However, during the investigation, the police detected signs of Hwang’s illegal filming and changed his status to that of a suspect to continue the investigation.

Hwang and Kim are also accused of disclosing some information that could identify the victim in a statement released in November last year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.