"In-Laws of Former Baseball Manager Jungil Ryu Acquitted in First Trial Over Home Camera Installation in Son's Newlywed Home"

by Lee Jiye

Published 17 Apr.2026 11:37(KST)

"Cannot Rule Out Security or Accident Prevention Purposes"

The in-laws of Jungil Ryu, former manager of the national baseball team, who were put on trial for allegedly installing a camera without permission in the newlywed home of his son and daughter-in-law, have been found not guilty.

Former baseball national team manager Joong-il Ryu. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On April 17, the 12th Criminal Division of the Seoul Southern District Court (Presiding Judge Park Jongyeol) acquitted both Mr. Park, the former father-in-law of Ryu's son, and Mr. Park, the former brother-in-law, who had been indicted without detention on charges of violating the Protection of Communications Secrets Act.

The court acknowledged that a home camera had been installed in the couple's house and that some recording had taken place. However, it ruled, "It is difficult to conclude that the defendants intended to secretly record someone else's conversation." In addition, the court noted that the residence was a place temporarily visited by the couple during their divorce conflict to collect belongings, and therefore, it could not rule out the possibility that the camera was installed for security or accident prevention purposes.

Mr. Park and others were put on trial for allegedly installing a home camera with recording functions in the kitchen of the Seoul residence in May 2024, during the divorce proceedings of Ryu's son and his wife, taking advantage of their absence.

The prosecution argued that installing a recording device in a private space without prior consent is itself illegal and had sought a one-year prison sentence for each defendant. Mr. Park and the others denied the charges, claiming the camera was installed for security purposes.

Meanwhile, former manager Ryu had raised suspicions that his daughter-in-law had an inappropriate relationship with a high school senior, but the prosecution decided not to indict her due to insufficient evidence.