The sister-in-law of South Korean international Hwang Ui-jo has been sentenced to three years in prison following her conviction on Thursday for the dissemination of private explicit videos of the footballer online, along with an attempt to extort him. The defendant, whose identity remains undisclosed, stood accused of circulating the videos via social media platforms under the guise of a former romantic partner, leveling accusations of infidelity against Hwang.
The public release of these videos prompted an independent police inquiry into Nottingham Forest striker Hwang Ui-jo, investigating whether the recorded sexual encounters were conducted without the requisite consent, potentially constituting illegal filming. Hwang has vehemently refuted these allegations, and as of yet, prosecutors have neither absolved nor formally charged him.
According to a verdict issued by the Seoul Central District Court, as reported by the Yonhap news agency, the sister-in-law deliberately posted the videos with the full knowledge that they would be widely disseminated, both within South Korea and internationally. The court characterized the nature of her actions as highly grave, given the extensive distribution of the content.
Despite prosecutors’ initial request for a four-year sentence, the court handed down a three-year term. The mitigating factors included the defendant’s admission of guilt and Hwang’s plea for clemency, as acknowledged by the court.
In her final testimony, the defendant expressed remorse, acknowledging the significant harm caused to the victims by her actions. Hwang Ui-jo, aged 31, currently on loan from Nottingham Forest to Turkish club Alanyaspor, has continued his football career amidst the ongoing legal proceedings. However, the Korea Football Association has opted to suspend him from the national squad, pending the resolution of the investigation into the alleged illicit filming.
Consequently, Hwang was unable to participate in the Asian Cup held in Qatar. Despite these legal and disciplinary challenges, Hwang remains a prominent figure in South Korean football, boasting 19 goals in 62 appearances for the national team.