SEOUL: Prosecutors have called for a four-year prison term for South Korean footballer Hwang Ui-jo, who faces charges of illegally recording his sexual encounters with two women.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the request for sentencing was made on Wednesday, highlighting the severity of the allegations against the striker who currently plays for Alanyaspor, a Turkish professional football club. The indictment specifically accuses Hwang of recording the victims on four separate occasions during 2022 without their consent.
The case against Hwang Ui-jo surfaced in June of last year, following a complaint he lodged against his brother’s wife. He accused her of sharing intimate photos of him with other women on Instagram and engaging in blackmail. This complaint led authorities to uncover evidence suggesting Hwang’s involvement in the illicit filming.
During the final hearing, the prosecution emphasized the profound impact on the victims, stating, ‘The victims must have been under great pain and humiliation,
and they have been victimized greatly by the distribution of the videos.” Concerns were also raised about Hwang’s remorse, with prosecutors questioning the sincerity of his reflections on his actions.
In his final testimony, Hwang admitted to all charges and expressed remorse. ‘I send out a sincere apology to all those hurt by my wrongful actions,” he stated. He also apologized to his fans, acknowledging the disappointment his actions had caused. Hwang pleaded for leniency from the court, promising to take the incident as a lesson and to avoid future misconduct.
The sentencing for Hwang Ui-jo is scheduled for December 18.