South Korean footballer receives suspended sentence for illegal filming

South Korean international footballer Hwang Ui-jo has been handed a one-year jail sentence, suspended for two years, for illegally filming sexual encounters without consent, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported on Friday.

The 32-year-old former Premier League forward pleaded guilty to the charges in October. Judge Lee Yong-je, delivering the verdict, emphasized the need for strict punishment, stating that Hwang recorded sexual encounters against the victim’s will on four occasions using his mobile phone.

Following the ruling, Hwang expressed remorse, saying, “I personally apologize to football fans and genuinely feel very sorry.” He also directed an apology toward the victim.

The case came to public attention in June 2023 after Hwang’s sister-in-law attempted to blackmail him by leaking explicit private videos. She was later sentenced to three years in prison for blackmail.

While prosecutors had sought a four-year prison term, the court considered Hwang’s admission of guilt and remorse when delivering the suspended sentence. Additionally, the fact that a third party distributed the footage without his involvement was taken into account.

Hwang was initially charged with recording non-consensual sexual videos involving two victims between June and September 2022, but he was convicted on charges related to only one case.

The scandal casts doubt over Hwang’s future with the South Korean national team. He last represented his country in 2023, and reports suggest that his conviction may lead to his exclusion, as the Korea Football Association’s regulations allow for expulsion in cases involving sexual offenses.