'Hwang Ui-jo's Sister-in-law Denies Allegations of Video Distribution in First Trial: "I Have No Knowledge of It"'

by Kwak Minjae

Published 08 Jan.2024 11:45(KST)

Updated 08 Jan.2024 13:53(KST)

The sister-in-law of Hwang Ui-jo, a former South Korean national football team player, who was indicted on charges of distributing videos related to his private life and threatening him, denied all charges at her first trial.

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

At the trial held on the 8th at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 31 (Presiding Judge Lee Jung-min), the defense attorney for Hwang's sister-in-law, Ms. A, stated, "The defendant was not involved in the charges and is completely unaware of the facts," fully denying the allegations.

When the court asked Ms. A, "Is your position that you were not involved at all as your lawyer said?" and "Is this something you have no knowledge of?" she replied, "Yes."

Ms. A was indicted on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes (retaliatory threats, etc.) and the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes (filming and distribution using cameras, etc.).

Ms. A's defense attorney requested the court to consider a closed trial, stating, "The case includes a significant amount of information related to the victim and the defendant's private life." They also expressed that they do not wish for a jury trial.

On the other hand, the victim's attorney stated, "Since the victim cannot attend this trial in person, we hope the trial will be open unless it involves disclosure of personal information."

The next trial is scheduled for the 25th.

Meanwhile, Ms. A is accused of claiming last June that she was Hwang's ex-girlfriend and sharing photos and videos exposing his private life on social networking services (SNS), alleging that Hwang had relationships with multiple women and caused harm. She is also charged with threatening Hwang by sending messages such as "It will be fun if it gets released" and "Wait and see," indicating an intention to distribute the footage.