New Evidence Found in Football Star’s Sex Tape Scandal: Illegal Recording of Private Video Call

Hwang Ui Jo under suspicion for recording another explicit video call with a woman

South Korean national soccer player Hwang Ui Jo, who is under suspicion of illegal filming, is facing another allegation.

 

According to a report by YTN on the 4th, the police obtained a statement that Hwang Ui Jo recorded an obscene video of another female victim through a video call.

The police secured this statement while investigating two women who claimed to be the victims.

One of the victims claimed that she only found out during the police investigation that a scene where her body was exposed during a video call with Hwang Ui Jo had been recorded.

The police are currently reviewing whether to apply charges of possession and storage of obscene materials to Hwang Ui Jo—the police plan to summon Hwang Ui Jo upon his return to the country to verify the facts.

As outlined in Article 14 of the Sexual Violence Punishment Act, penalties concerning the use of cameras or similar devices are applicable when an individual’s body is involuntarily filmed in a manner that can elicit sexual desire or humiliation. Following the “Nth Room Case,” the law underwent revisions in May 2020, elevating the maximum imprisonment from 5 years to 7 years and raising the fine from 30 million won (approximately $25,000) to 50 million won (approximately $42,000).

Also, those who distribute, sell, rent, provide, or publicly exhibit or screen the filmed material or copies (including copies of copies) can be sentenced to up to 7 years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won (approximately $42,000).

Even if the person being filmed did not object at the time of filming, those who distribute the filmed material or copies against the will of the person being filmed are subject to the same punishment. Furthermore, those who possess, purchase, store, or view the filmed material or copies can be sentenced to up to 3 years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won (approximately $25,000).

Previously, Hwang Ui Jo’s attorney released a statement revealing some of the victim’s personal details, which drew criticism for secondary victimization. Hwang Ui Jo underwent his first police investigation on the 17th of last month for illegal filming charges. He cannot play in matches for his team, Norwich City, due to a hamstring injury.

The Korea Football Association has opted not to temporarily include Hwang Ui Jo in the national team. This decision was reached by the Ethics Committee, Fairness Committee, and National Team Strengthening Committee on the 28th of the previous month.