Soccer Player Hwang Ui-jo Appeals Conviction in Illegal Filming Case

Hwang Ui-jo, a 33-year-old soccer 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 last month, emphasizing his desire to represent South Korea in the upcoming 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. Hwang 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. Should Hwang's initial sentence be confirmed, his chances of continuing as a national team player would be severely impacted.

During the first appeal hearing 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, and the victims' representatives have called for a severe punishment.

The victims' attorney, Lee Eun-hee, 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 lied about having viewed the footage 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 show leniency towards Hwang, who has not been forgiven by the victims, citing the existence of damages unrelated to the crime.

Hwang was charged with illegally filming sexual acts without consent on four occasions between June and September 2022, with two victims identified. The initial court ruling found him guilty regarding one victim but acquitted him concerning another victim, whom he recorded during a video call. The court acknowledged the severity of the offenses but considered Hwang's acknowledgment of his actions, his remorse, and the substantial amount he paid in compensation as mitigating factors in sentencing.