South Korea’s football player Hwang Ui-jo has been given a one-year suspended prison sentence for illegally recording intimate videos without consent, according to Yonhap.
Hwang, 32, who previously played for Nottingham Forest and currently represents Turkish club Alanyaspor, was also a member of the South Korean national team until his suspension in 2023 following the allegations.
The Seoul court emphasised the severity of the case, acknowledging Hwang’s remorse and noting that the videos were leaked by a third party and not distributed by Hwang himself.
Given the serious social harm caused by illegal filming, it is necessary to impose strict punishment.
The scandal came to light in June 2023 when Hwang’s sister-in-law shared the videos on social media in an attempt to blackmail him. She was subsequently sentenced to three years in prison in September after Hwang filed a lawsuit against her.
Despite this, prosecutors pursued charges against Hwang, alleging that he had filmed sexual encounters with two women without their consent on four separate occasions in 2022. Hwang initially denied the accusations but pleaded guilty to illegal filming charges in October 2023.
In its ruling, the court convicted Hwang of charges related to one woman but acquitted him of those involving the second.
The case has drawn attention to the widespread issue of illegal filming in South Korea, where hidden cameras and voyeuristic recordings have become a significant social issue. Over the past decade, thousands of individuals have been arrested for similar offences, sparking a nationwide outrage and fear among South Korean women.
Hwang, who apologised during his first court appearance in December 2023, expressed deep regret for causing disappointment. His legal team has yet to comment on whether they will appeal the verdict.
