Former Championship footballer Hwang Ui-jo is reportedly facing up to four years in prison after being accused of illegally filming himself engaging in sexual activities without the consent of his partners.
According to a report by French outlet L’Equipe, the South Korean player is alleged to have recorded intimate encounters with two different women on four separate occasions between June and September 2022.
The case came to light after Hwang’s sister-in-law allegedly posted the videos on social media, prompting Hwang to take legal action against her.
He successfully sued her for blackmail, leading to a three-year prison sentence for the sister-in-law. However, the case against Hwang continued, as authorities focused on the illegal filming itself.
Prosecutors in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, have built a case against the forward, accusing him of violating privacy laws by recording the sexual acts without the knowledge or consent of the women involved. On Wednesday, Hwang appeared in court for the first time, where he expressed deep regret for his actions.
“I will not engage in any wrongful behavior in the future and will strive to do my best as a footballer,” Hwang told the court. “I sincerely apologize to the victims affected by my actions and deeply regret the disappointment I have caused to those who have supported me.”
Despite his apology, prosecutors are reportedly seeking a four-year prison sentence, expressing skepticism over the sincerity of his remorse, especially in light of his initial denial of the charges.
One of the victims has also rejected the possibility of a plea bargain, instead requesting a harsher sentence for the footballer.
