Former national soccer team player Hwang Ui-jo (33, Alanyaspor), who received a suspended prison sentence on appeal on charges of illegal filming, dropped his Supreme Court appeal, finalizing the sentence.
According to the legal community on the 12th, both Hwang Ui-jo and prosecutors abandoned their Supreme Court appeals. To contest a criminal verdict, a notice of appeal or a Supreme Court appeal must be filed within seven days from the date of sentencing. The day of sentencing is excluded from the calculation.
Earlier, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Appellate Panel 1-3 on 4th sentenced Hwang Ui-jo to one year in prison, suspended for two years, the same as the first trial. However, both Hwang and prosecutors gave up appealing to the Supreme Court by the 11th, the filing deadline, making the sentence final.
At the time, the court noted, "The victim suffered extreme mental distress, and Hwang Ui-jo denied the crime during the investigation stage and lacked consideration for the victim."
It also rejected Hwang Ui-jo's argument that the original sentence was excessively heavy, which cited Korea Football Association regulations that a person cannot be selected for the national team for a certain period if a sentence of imprisonment or heavier is finalized.
After the sentencing, Hwang Ui-jo issued an apology through his attorney, saying, "I sincerely apologize to the victim, who suffered great harm, and I will focus on soccer to regain trust."
Hwang Ui-jo is accused of filming videos several times without the consent of two women involved, or recording video calls.
The case began in June 2023 when a woman, claiming to be Hwang Ui-jo's ex-girlfriend, posted a disclosure about his private life. Hwang Ui-jo filed a police complaint, arguing that the post constituted a disclosure. While investigating the matter, police detected indications of illegal filming by Hwang and changed his status to suspect.
Meanwhile, a sister-in-law surnamed Lee, who posed as Hwang Ui-jo's ex-girlfriend and threatened him, received a finalized three-year prison sentence for charges including distributing videos and making threats and is serving her term.