Former national team striker Hwang Ui-jo (33, Alanyaspor) appealed for a reduced sentence while claiming the opportunity to participate in the 2026 North and Central America World Cup.
On the 21st (Korean time), according to 'News1', Hwang Ui-jo submitted a 93-page appeal brief to the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Appeals Division 1-3 last month. He is reported to have requested leniency, emphasizing his role in promoting the country as a national representative.
Currently, Hwang Ui-jo is on trial for filming sexual intercourse videos multiple times or recording video calls without the consent of two women. Previously, he deposited 200 million won as a settlement with the victim Ms. A and has obtained a waiver of punishment. However, another victim, Ms. B, has stated that she does not wish to settle and seeks severe punishment.
This incident began in June 2023, when Ms. C, who introduced herself as Hwang Ui-jo's former lover, posted a disclosure titled 'The private life of national football player Hwang Ui-jo' on social media, along with videos and photos featuring not only Hwang Ui-jo but also the victim. This was a clear illegal dissemination, causing secondary harm to the woman involved, thus sparking controversy.
Hwang Ui-jo's side immediately began to refute the claims, but he was later changed to a suspect status and underwent police investigation. The police seized his mobile phone and conducted a digital forensic investigation to continue the inquiry into the illegal filming charges. Additionally, it was revealed that Ms. C is the sister-in-law of Hwang Ui-jo, which caused shock. Hwang Ui-jo's side stated that they trust the innocence of his sister-in-law, but Ms. C was sentenced to three years in prison by the Supreme Court last September.
Prompted by the ongoing dispute with his former lover, Hwang Ui-jo suddenly changed his position. After the investigation, he admitted to the charges, and the prosecution stated, "(Hwang Ui-jo) acknowledges the charges, but has denied them until the trial, leading us to question whether his remorse is genuine," and requested a four-year prison sentence for him. As a result, the court sentenced him to one year in prison along with a two-year probation, which is lower than what the prosecution sought.
Currently playing for Alanyaspor in Turkey, Hwang Ui-jo was once a national team striker consistently wearing the Taegeuk mark on his chest. He has also played for Seongnam FC and Girondins de Bordeaux (France), and in the summer of 2022 signed a contract with Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. However, after struggling on loan at Olympiakos (Greece), he moved to Norwich City and eventually made a permanent transfer to Alanyaspor last summer.
Hwang Ui-jo has left a significant mark on the national team as well. He made his debut in an A match against Laos in 2015 and was utilized under head coach Paulo Bento, competing in the 2022 Qatar World Cup. His career record in A matches stands at 62 games and 19 goals. Notably, Hwang Ui-jo participated as a wildcard in the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, scoring 9 goals and providing 1 assist in 7 matches, leading Korea to the gold medal.
Having received probation in the first trial, Hwang Ui-jo referred to himself as 'the leading striker and senior of Korea' in his appeal brief for the second trial, claiming, "I must not only pass on my know-how to the juniors but also serve as the center and pillar of the national team." Additionally, he appealed that if the first trial's sentence is finalized, his national career would end this way.
Hwang Ui-jo's lawyer is making the same claims. During the first hearing of the second trial on the 19th, he defended, "Defendant Hwang Ui-jo is remorseful and has reached an agreement with the victim. Fortunately, the leaked photos did not identify the victim, so the damage is relatively minor," and argued that considering Hwang Ui-jo's dedication to the national team, the sentence is too harsh.
However, the standards of judgment in court are based on the law, not goal-scoring ability or A match records. Nevertheless, Hwang Ui-jo is appealing for the fact that he was 'a national representative'. The victims and the prosecution hold the opposing view.
The prosecution pointed out that Hwang Ui-jo suddenly admitted to the charges after initially claiming innocence at the start of the trial, questioning, "Is this really genuine remorse?" and requested a four-year prison sentence. The victims' side also demanded severe punishment, stating, "Hwang Ui-jo has returned to daily life, but the victims are unable to receive mental health treatment."
This incident is not a simple privacy controversy. Secondary harm occurred from the video dissemination, and the perpetrator is a public figure. Particularly alarming is that the person who claimed to be Hwang Ui-jo's former lover was a member of his family, and the videos were made public to the masses via social media, generating public outrage. The fallout has been devastating for the victims.
Hwang Ui-jo still dreams of participating in the World Cup. However, according to Korea Football Association regulations, if a prison sentence is confirmed, he will be disqualified from the national team for five years, and if he receives probation, he will be suspended from the national team for two years from the end of the probation period. His football career is now at a crossroads. This incident raises questions not only about club issues but also about the criteria for 'national player qualifications'.
The next hearing is scheduled to be held on the 24th of next month. The court plans to conclude arguments at this session. If Hwang Ui-jo's appeal is not accepted, it is likely that he will not be able to wear the Taegeuk mark again. According to Korea Football Association regulations, if a prison sentence of a fine or higher is confirmed, national team eligibility is revoked for five years, and if probation is granted, it is revoked for two years from the expiration of the probation period.
Now, Hwang Ui-jo must prove everything in court, not on the pitch. More important than wearing the Taegeuk mark again is providing a sincere apology and taking responsibility for the wounded victims. Therefore, merely proclaiming dedication as a football player does not absolve a public figure from accountability.
[OSEN]