Hwang Ui-jo is indicted without detention on charges of illegal filming of the Taegeuk mark again
Jul 11, 2024
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The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office announced on the 11th that it will indict Hwang Ui-jo without detention on charges of violating the Sexual Violence Punishment Act.
According to the prosecution, Hwang Ui-jo is accused of filming private videos or recording video calls on two women several times without the consent of the other party.
Hwang Ui-jo filed a complaint with the police in June last year, claiming to be an ex-lover, threatening netizens who shared photos and videos of himself and women on Instagram, but he was converted to a suspect after illegal filming was detected during the investigation, and was sent to the prosecution in February.
The person who uploaded the video later and threatened Hwang Ui-jo was found to be his brother-in-law. Hwang Ui-jo's brother-in-law, who was arrested and charged in December last year, was sentenced to three years in prison in the second trial held last month following the first trial.
Hwang Ui-jo played in all six A-matches in September and November last year, when controversy over illegal filming was raging, but criticism intensified as he was investigated by police as a suspect ahead of the match against China on November 21. Not only civic groups but also political circles have voiced the need to disqualify Hwang Ui-jo from being a national representative.
In response, the Korea Football Association announced that it will temporarily deprive Hwang Ui-jo of his national team until a clear conclusion is reached by the investigative agency.
Hwang Ui-jo's return depends on the judiciary's judgment of whether he is guilty or not. If convicted, his return to the national team will be over the moon. Hwang Ui-jo, who made his A-team debut in 2015, played 62 A matches and scored 19 goals.
Article 14 of the operating regulations of the Fair Committee of the Korea Football Association shall be subject to disciplinary action for cases of violence, sexual violence, and serious damage to dignity as an athlete. According to the disciplinary standards for each type, those who commit sexual violence can be expelled, the highest level of disciplinary action.
The national soccer team's operating regulations can only be worn after five years of imprisonment or higher, or two years from the end of the probation period after being sentenced to imprisonment or higher.
The rate of acquittal of those suspected of violating the Special Act on Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes is 3.48%. In other words, Hwang Ui-jo is less than 4% likely to wear the national team uniform again.
Hwang was temporarily disqualified from the national team, but continued his career in Europe. Hwang Ui-jo, who made his professional debut in Seongnam in 2014 and went on to enter the European stage by joining Girondin de Bordeaux in 2019, joined English Premier League (EPL) club Nottingham Forest in 2022. For the past two years, starting with Nottingham's sister club Olympiacos (Greece), he has played on loan at FC Seoul (Korea), Norwich City (England), and Alanyaspor (Turkiye). Hwang Ui-jo, who failed to reproduce his performance in his prime due to a continued hamstring injury, returned to Nottingham this summer, but is reportedly staying in Europe and looking for a new club.
yoonjinman@sportschosun.com
