'Hwang Ui-jo Receives Suspended Prison Sentence Again for Illegal Filming in Appeal... "Sorry to the Victim, Will Focus on Soccer"'

One Year Prison Sentence, Two Years Probation, Same as First Trial
Court: "Victim Suffered Severe Distress... High Degree of Culpability"
Hwang Ui-jo: "Will Devote Myself to Soccer and Do My Best to Regain Trust"

Hwang Ui-jo, a former national soccer team player who was put on trial for illegal filming, has once again received a suspended prison sentence in his second trial. After the sentencing, Hwang expressed his position, stating, "I sincerely apologize to the victim."

Soccer player Hwang Ui-jo is responding to reporters' questions as he leaves the court after receiving a suspended prison sentence in the second trial for violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (filming using cameras, etc.) at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 4th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On September 4, the Criminal Appellate Division 1-3 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judges Cho Jungrae, Jin Hyeonji, and An Heegil) sentenced Hwang, who was indicted for violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes (filming using cameras, etc.), to one year in prison, suspended for two years, 200 hours of community service, and 400 hours of participation in a sexual violence treatment program. This sentence is the same as the first trial.

The court stated, "The victim suffered severe psychological distress," and added, "Although the distribution was carried out by someone else, it was based on the defendant's act of filming. Considering that the content of the footage caused sexual humiliation, the defendant's culpability is significant."

The court further pointed out, "The defendant was not forgiven by the victim and denied the crime during the investigation. In the process of expressing his position to the media, he mentioned information that implied certain details about the victim. While this information was not enough to specifically identify the victim, the defendant's fame as a national soccer player and the nature of the footage led to a surge in public curiosity." The court added, "This lack of consideration for the victim in a sensitive criminal case is an unfavorable factor in sentencing."

Regarding the charge involving one of the two victims, in which Hwang was accused of secretly recording during a video call, the court, as in the first trial, found him not guilty. The court explained, "Since the recording targeted an image of the victim's body received on the defendant's mobile phone, rather than the victim's body itself, it cannot be regarded as direct filming of the body."

After the sentencing, Hwang released a statement saying, "I sincerely apologize to the victim who was deeply hurt by this incident. As a soccer player, I have received immense love, but due to my wrongdoing, I have betrayed that trust and caused great disappointment."

He continued, "I feel nothing but shame toward everyone who cherished and believed in me, and I am deeply reflecting on my actions. From now on, I will devote myself solely to soccer and strive to become more mature, so that I can regain the trust of soccer fans and those who support me."

Hwang is accused of illegally filming sexual encounters or recording video calls with two victims without their consent between June and September 2022. Hwang had filed a police complaint against his sister-in-law, who shared photos and videos of him and the women on social media, on charges including blackmail. However, evidence of illegal filming by Hwang was uncovered during the investigation.

Hwang's sister-in-law, Lee, received a final sentence of three years in prison in September last year.

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