Court Sentences Hwang Ui-jo's Sister-in-Law to 3 Years in Prison for Video Distribution in First Trial... Also Orders 40 Hours of Course Attendance

Hwang Ui-jo's sister-in-law, who was prosecuted for distributing private videos of the soccer player Hwang Ui-jo and threatening him, was sentenced to three years in prison in the first trial.

The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 31 (Presiding Judge Park Jun-seok) sentenced A, Hwang's sister-in-law, to three years in prison on the 14th on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (retaliatory threats, etc.). The court also ordered A to complete 40 hours of sexual violence treatment programs and imposed a three-year employment restriction at institutions related to children, adolescents, and persons with disabilities.

Soccer player Hwang Ui-jo. [Photo by Yonhap News]

The court stated, "The defendant has confessed to the crime, and considering supplementary evidence such as CD videos, all criminal facts are recognized."

Furthermore, the court pointed out, "Regarding sentencing, the defendant threatened to distribute sexually related videos of Hwang, a national soccer player, on Instagram, knowing that the victim's photos and videos would be indiscriminately spread due to the nature of the platform. Not only did she threaten to distribute the videos, but she ultimately posted them on Instagram, resulting in widespread distribution through various social networking services (SNS) domestically and internationally, which makes the crime very serious."

The court continued, "The defendant denied the crime for a considerable period and obstructed evidence investigation by resetting her phone during the investigation phase, making it difficult to see that she is sincerely reflecting. However, considering that she confessed belatedly, had no prior criminal record, it is difficult to identify the personal information of other victims except Hwang from the videos and photos posted on Instagram, and that she is seeking leniency through a settlement with Hwang among the victims, the sentence was determined accordingly."

A was arrested and indicted in December last year on charges of sharing photos and sexual videos of Hwang and other women on social media while claiming to be Hwang's ex-girlfriend and threatening him in June last year.

In the sentencing hearing held on the 28th of last month, the prosecution requested a four-year prison sentence for A. In her final statement, A said, "I admit to the crime and am reflecting on it. I caused great harm and pain to the victims," adding, "I deeply feel the victims' pain."

A's side deposited 20 million won in criminal bail at the Seoul Central District Court the day before the sentencing, one day prior. Bail is a system where a defendant who has not reached a settlement with the victim deposits an amount equivalent to the settlement money with the court. The court can consider this as a mitigating factor when determining the defendant's sentence. However, there have been criticisms that defendants attempt surprise bail deposits just before sentencing to seek reduced sentences.

The victim B's side stated in a press release the day before, "We have submitted six opinion statements and clearly expressed in court that we have no intention of reaching any agreement with the defendant and also reject the bail money. Nevertheless, the defendant is unilaterally attempting criminal bail," adding, "The victim has no intention of settling with the defendant or Hwang's side under any conditions now or in the future and does not intend to accept the bail money."

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