National soccer player Hwang Eui-jo (31-Norwich City FC) was investigated by police as a suspect in connection with illegal filming allegations.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Department's Cybercrime Investigation Bureau announced on the 20th that "Hwang Ui-jo, who is suspected of illegal filming, was summoned and investigated as a suspect on the 18th."
In June, a user who claimed to be Hwang Ui-jo's former lover, Ms. A, posted a post alleging that Hwang Ui-jo was causing harm by having sex with multiple women. In particular, Mr. A posted some photos and videos of Hwang Ui-jo having sex with women on his social media accounts.
In response to the controversy over his personal life, Hwang claimed that his phone was stolen in November last year and that he had been receiving threatening messages since May this year, stating that he would "spread (the photos)," "look forward to it," and "it will be fun when it's released. He then filed a complaint with the Seongdong Police Station to investigate the poster who sent the threatening messages while posing as his girlfriend.
The police transferred the case to the Cybercrime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency to investigate. Hwang reportedly denied the allegations during the police investigation.
On the 16th of this month, police also detained Mr. A, who was suspected of posting posts exposing Hwang's private life and threatening him (under the Sexual Violence Punishment Act, he was charged with threats using cameras and filming).
On the 20th, Hwang Ui-jo's side spoke out. Hwang Ui-jo's legal representative (Law Firm Daehwan) said, "Hwang Ui-jo has been suffering from continuous threats since May 7, 2023. The blackmailer illegally leaked a video of Hwang Ui-jo and his former lover, and then indiscriminately distributed it and demanded money from a person who is not sure if it is the same person."
"The video shows a woman with whom Hwang Ui-jo had a relationship in the past, but it is clear that it was a consensual video between the lovers at the time, and Hwang Ui-jo does not currently have the video in his possession, nor has he leaked it," said Hwang Ui-jo's lawyer. "As we have previously stated in our public statements, the video was on Hwang Ui-jo's personal cell phone, which was lost (presumably stolen) in Greece in November 2022, and is extremely intimate. It is important to note that the so-called 'killing of Hwang Ui-jo' is being carried out in a very malicious manner, with not only the video but also private conversations Hwang Ui-jo had with his acquaintances being used for blackmail."
"In the first place, this case started as a victim of a leaked video. This fact remains unchanged today. He feels deeply sorry and responsible for his former lover who was harmed by this incident. We sincerely feel sorry for them. Bada vows to sincerely cooperate with the investigative agencies in the future. We will do our best to reveal the truth." 토토
Here is the full statement
Daehwan Law Firm, which is representing Hwang Ui-jo, would like to make the following official statement.
Since May 7, 2023, Hwang Ui-jo has been subjected to continuous threats. The threat perpetrator illegally leaked a video of Hwang Ui-jo and his former lover, and has since indiscriminately distributed the video and demanded money from an unidentified person.
The video shows a woman who used to be in a relationship with Hwang, but it is clear that the video was consensual, and Hwang does not currently have the video in his possession, nor did he leak it.
As previously stated in our official statement, the video was taken from Hwang's personal cell phone, which was lost (and presumed stolen) in Greece in November 2022, so it's important to note that the so-called "kill Hwang" campaign is being conducted in a very malicious manner, with not only the video but also private conversations between Hwang and his acquaintances being used to blackmail him.
This case started with Hwang Ui-jo as the victim of a video leak, and that fact hasn't changed. Hwang Ui-jo feels deeply sorry and responsible for his former lover who was harmed by this incident, and he is sincerely heartbroken. We pledge to fully cooperate with law enforcement agencies in their investigations and will do our best to reveal the truth.