South Korea: South Korean international footballer Hwang Ui-jo has been handed a one-year jail sentence, suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to filming sexual encounters with a woman without her consent. The 32-year-old former Premier League forward, who was also part of South Korea’s squad during the 2022 World Cup, emerged in court in October where he acknowledged his wrongdoing.
Judge Lee Yong-je, who issued the ruling, emphasised the gravity of the crime, stating that it was necessary to set a strict punishment given the social harm caused by illegal filming crimes. The court noted that Hwang filmed sexual intercourse on four occasions between June and September 2022, using his mobile phone without the victim’s knowledge or consent.
Hwang publicly apologized following the verdict, expressing guilt for his actions and offering an apology to both the victim and his football fans. Hwang stated that, “I apologize to football fans and genuinely feel very sorry,” who currently plays for Alanyaspor in Turkey.
The case came to light in June 2023 when Hwang’s sister-in-law attempted to blackmail him by posting private explicit videos online. She is now serving a three-year prison sentence for blackmail. Although Hwang was initially charged with filming without consent on four occasions, the court only convicted him on one charge, with two victims originally named.
The court also took into account Hwang’s acknowledgment of the crimes and his guilt in the sentencing. Additionally, the involvement of a third party in distributing the footage on social media, without Hwang’s knowledge, was considered in the ruling.
This scandal has raised concerns in South Korea, a country grappling with the ongoing problem of “molka” — illicitly filmed videos often shared without the consent of the individuals involved. The Korea Football Association’s regulations could potentially bar Hwang from future international play due to the conviction, as members can be expelled for committing sexual offences.
As the nation continues to battle the issue of illegal filming, Hwang’s case highlights the severity of such crimes and the growing legal and societal push for accountability.
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