South Korea prosecutors seek four-year prison sentence for footballer Hwang Ui-jo over illegal filming charges

Prosecutors on Wednesday demanded a four-year prison term for footballer Hwang Ui-jo on charges of illegally filming his sexual encounters with two women, officials said Thursday.

The striker from the Turkish professional football club Alanyaspor was indicted for filming the victims on four occasions in 2022 without their consent.

The case emerged in June last year when he filed a complaint against his older brother's wife for sharing intimate photos of him together with other women on Instagram and blackmailing him.

During the investigation, police found clues that led to the footballer's illegal acts and booked him for investigation.

"The victims must have been under great pain and humiliation, and they have been victimized greatly by the distribution of the videos," the prosecution said during the final hearing, adding they had suspicions of whether Hwang was "sincerely reflecting on his actions."

Hwang pleaded guilty to all the charges.

"I send out a sincere apology to all those hurt by my wrongful actions," Hwang said during his final testimony. "I am also sorry for disappointing the people who have adored and cheered for me with my improper behavior."

Hwang pleaded the court for leniency, saying he will "take this incident as a lesson" to refrain from committing any more crimes in the future and give his best as a footballer.

The sentencing date for Hwang was slated for Dec. 18. (Yonhap)

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