Hwang Ui-jo convicted for illegal filming
South Korean striker Hwang Ui-jo has received a suspended one-year jail sentence for illegally recording his sexual encounters with a woman, according to Yonhap News Agency.
The 32-year-old, a former Norwich City and Nottingham Forest striker, currently plays for the Turkish club Alanyaspor. He was also part of the South Korean national team but was suspended in 2023 after the allegations surfaced.
Court ruling and mitigating factors
The Seoul court stated that “given the seriousness of the socially harmful effects of illegal filming, it is necessary to punish [Hwang] strictly.”
However, the court also acknowledged that Hwang had shown remorse and that a third party shared the videos on social media.
During his first court appearance in December, Hwang apologized, saying he was “deeply sorry” for causing “disappointment.”
Blackmail attempt and legal proceedings
The videos came to public attention when Hwang’s sister-in-law posted them on social media last June in an attempt to blackmail him. She was sentenced to three years in prison last September after Hwang sued her.
Despite this, prosecutors pursued charges against Hwang, alleging that he filmed his sexual encounters with two women without their consent on four occasions in 2022.
Initially claiming innocence, for striker later pleaded guilty to illegal filming charges in October. He was convicted for offenses involving one woman but acquitted of charges related to the other.
Growing concerns over hidden cameras in South Korea
Hidden cameras used to secretly record women and their private moments have become a widespread issue in South Korea.
Over the past decade, thousands of individuals have been arrested for filming voyeuristic content, fueling widespread fear and anger among women across the country.
