Footballer Hwang Ui-jo Appeals Sentence in Illegal Filming Case

Hwang Ui-jo (황의조), a 33-year-old football player who received a suspended prison sentence for illegal filming, attended the first hearing of his appeal on June 19 at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul. According to KBS, Hwang submitted a 93-page appeal document to the appellate court last month.

In his appeal, Hwang emphasized his desire to represent South Korea in the North and Central America World Cup scheduled for June next year. He referred to himself as 'the national team's leading striker and a senior player,' stating that he should not only pass on his expertise to younger players but also serve as a central figure in the team. He expressed that if his sentence is upheld, it would mark the end of his career as a national representative.

According to the regulations of the Korea Football Association, if a player receives a prison sentence of one year or more, they are barred from national team selection for five years. If they receive a suspended sentence, they cannot be selected for two years following the expiration of the probation period. Therefore, if Hwang's initial sentence is confirmed, his chances of participating in national team activities will be severely limited.

During the first hearing of the appeal on June 19, Hwang's legal team argued that he is remorseful, has no prior convictions, and has dedicated himself to the national team, suggesting that the initial sentence was too harsh.

Conversely, the prosecution contended that the sentence was too lenient. The victims' representatives have maintained their stance for a severe punishment. Attorney Lee Eun-hee, representing the victims, stated that when the case first came to light, Hwang claimed there was no illegal filming and circulated press releases that identified the victims' professions and marital statuses. She added that Hwang had lied about watching the videos with the victims, which led to increased online harassment against them, preventing the victims from receiving necessary psychological counseling. Lee urged the court not to grant leniency to the defendant, who has not been forgiven by the victims.

Hwang was charged with illegally filming sexual encounters without consent on four occasions between June and September 2022, with two victims identified. The first trial acknowledged the guilt of Hwang regarding one victim but acquitted him concerning the other, where he was found to have secretly recorded during a video call. The court noted that while the nature of the crimes was serious, Hwang's acknowledgment of his actions, expressions of remorse, and the substantial amount he paid in compensation were considered mitigating factors in sentencing.