Former South Korean footballer Hwang Ui Jo faces 1-year prison for illegal filming women
Former South Korean footballer Hwang Ui, who was wearing a black suit at the court hearing, kept his head down and admitted to the crime on February 14 for the incidents that is said to have happened between June and September 2022.
Disclaimer: This article contains details about sexual violence allegations and legal proceedings. Reader discretion is advised.
Hwang Ui Jo, a 33-year-old former South Korean national football player, was found guilty on February 14 of illegally photographing sexual acts. He was given a one-year prison sentence with a two-year probation. The footballer was accused of secretly capturing sexual films of two ladies and filming video calls without their permission. He was charged with breaking the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence in July 2023.
Under the direction of Judge Lee Yong Je, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced him to 200 hours of community service and 40 hours of treatment for sexual abuse. At first, the prosecution had requested four years in prison.
When did all this take place?
The incidents is said to have happened between June and September 2022. Hwang was found guilty of secretly recording one woman but was cleared of charges related to the video call with the other. The judge said a Supreme Court ruling defines 'filming' as recording someone's body, so a video call does not count.
Hwang, who was wearing a black suit at the court hearing, kept his head down and admitted to the crime. He later apologized publicly and also offered 200 million KRW as compensation. However, the victims refused it. Since this was his first offense, the court gave him probation instead of a full prison sentence.
Hwang Ui Jo apologizes
After the ruling, Hwang went on to even apologize to his fans, saying, "I am truly sorry." However, the victims' lawyer, Lee Eun Ui, strongly criticized the decision, saying the court cared more about Hwang's reputation than the justice for the victims.
The sentencing was originally set for December but was delayed because of changes requested by the prosecution. Meanwhile, Hwang's sister-in-law, who spread the illegal videos online, was sentenced to three years in prison last year.
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Karen Noronha is a versatile journalist with a passion for sports and K-pop. With over 7 years of experience at publications like IBTimes UK, DNA, and OTTPlay/DesiMartini, she seamlessly transitions between covering global athletic events and the dynamic world of K-pop.
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