‘Hwang Ui-jo Video Distribution and Threats’ Sister-in-law Sentenced to 3 Years in Appeal... "No Serious Remorse"

Lee, the sister-in-law of soccer player Hwang Ui-jo, who was prosecuted for distributing private videos of Hwang and threatening him, was sentenced to prison again in the appellate court.

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

On the 26th, the Seoul High Court Criminal Division 14-1 (Presiding Judges Park Hye-seon, Oh Young-sang, Lim Jong-hyo) sentenced Lee to three years in prison in the appeal trial on charges including violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (retaliatory threats), the same as the first trial. She was also ordered to complete 40 hours of sexual violence treatment programs and was banned from employment at institutions related to children, adolescents, and persons with disabilities for three years.

The court stated, “Despite easily knowing that posting Hwang’s sexually related videos on Instagram would lead to indiscriminate distribution due to the nature of Instagram and Hwang’s fame, the defendant proceeded with threats and ultimately posted the videos, resulting in their widespread distribution domestically and internationally. The defendant committed the crime with definite intent, making the blameworthiness very high.”

It continued, “The defendant denied the crime for a considerable period from the investigation stage and deliberately reset her phone during the investigation process to obstruct evidence examination. Although she suddenly confessed by submitting a letter of apology at the fourth trial, considering that the letter was disclosed to the media causing secondary harm to the victim, it is difficult to see that the defendant is sincerely reflecting on her crime.”

Additionally, the court said, “Although the defendant deposited 20 million won in criminal escrow for the victim, considering the overall process leading to the deposit, it is reasonable not to reflect the deposit as a favorable factor for the defendant. The sentence of the lower court is not deemed excessively heavy or light beyond the reasonable range of discretion,” explaining the sentencing rationale.

Lee is accused of sharing photos and videos exposing Hwang’s private life on social networking services (SNS) last June, claiming to be his ex-girlfriend and alleging that Hwang had relationships with multiple women causing harm. She is also charged with threatening Hwang by sending messages such as “It will be fun if it’s released” and “Wait and see,” indicating she would distribute the recordings.

Previously, the first trial sentenced Lee to three years in prison, ordered her to complete 40 hours of sexual violence treatment programs, and banned her from employment at institutions related to children, adolescents, and persons with disabilities for three years. At that time, the court stated, “The crime is serious as the defendant threatened knowing that posting Hwang Ui-jo’s private photos and videos would spread indiscriminately.”

In the sentencing hearing held on the 22nd of last month, the prosecution requested the court to sentence Lee to four years in prison, the same as the first trial’s recommendation. Lee expressed remorse at the hearing, saying, “I sincerely apologize for causing great pain to the victims due to my wrongful actions.”

Lee Eun-ui, the lawyer representing the victims of Hwang’s filming, said to reporters after the sentencing, “We accept the appellate court’s ruling as a letter of consolation from the court to the victims with gratitude,” adding, “Just by mentioning the nature of the confession and the deposit in detail, the victims have been comforted in the harsh path they have walked so far.” She urged, “What the victims want is for the famous national team player to be stripped of his status and treated the same as other suspects in different cases. The prosecution should promptly indict him at least on charges of illegal filming.”

Meanwhile, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office’s Women and Children Crime Investigation Division 1 (Chief Prosecutor Kim Ji-hye) summoned Hwang on the 20th for investigation as a suspect in violation of the Sexual Violence Punishment Act. This came about four months after the police transferred the case.

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