Hwang Ui-jo "Please allow me to play for the national team"… Appeals document appeals for 'World Cup participation'
Hwang Ui-jo (33), a soccer player who received a suspended prison sentence in the first trial for illegally filming sexual intercourse, has submitted a 90-page appeals document in the appeals court.
In this document, he expressed his hope to participate in the 2026 North and Central America World Cup and appealed for the court's judgment.
'Flagship striker of the Republic of Korea'… "I hope my national team career is not over"
According to a report by KBS on the 21st, Hwang Ui-jo submitted a total of 93 pages of the appeals document to the appeals court last month. In the document, he described himself as "a striker representing Korean soccer and a senior player" and emphasized that "it is time for me to play a key role in the national team."
In particular, he stated, "I want to participate in the North and Central America World Cup next June," and requested leniency, expressing that if the sentence is upheld, it would "mark the end of my life as a national representative."
The Korea Football Association has regulations that restrict national team selection for five years if a sentence of imprisonment is confirmed and for two years from the expiration date if a suspended sentence is issued. If Hwang Ui-jo's sentence from the first trial is upheld, a return to the national team will effectively become difficult.
Prosecutors: "The sentence is too light"… Victim's side: "False explanations, secondary harm as well"
Hwang Ui-jo was charged with illegally filming sexual intercourse scenes four times without consent against two women he was in a relationship with from June to September 2022. In February, the court sentenced him to one year in prison, suspended for two years, in the first trial.
The court recognized the guilt of one of the victims but found him not guilty regarding another woman filmed during a video call. The court noted that while "the number of offenses and the content of the recordings are not light," it considered that "the defendant acknowledged his crimes and is remorseful, and has paid a considerable sum of compensation" as reasons for sentencing.
However, the prosecution argued in the appeals court that "the first trial judgment is too light" and claimed that the sentencing was inappropriate. The victim's side is also strongly opposing. Attorney Lee Eun-yi, representing the victims, pointed out that "Hwang Ui-jo initially denied the allegations, claiming they were not illegal filming, and distributed press releases mentioning the victim's occupation and marital status."
She added, "He also lied about the videos, and malicious comments about the victims spread online, making it difficult for them to even receive psychiatric treatment."
The attorney further called for the court not to hastily acknowledge forgiveness based on compensation or formal apologies, as the victim has not forgiven the defendant to this day.
90-page appeals document… Could it be a strategy to reduce the sentence?
Hwang Ui-jo's side is requesting a reduction in sentence in the appeals court, arguing that "the first trial sentence is excessively harsh considering the defendant has no criminal record and has faithfully served as a national representative."
The legal community is paying attention to whether the submission of the 90-page appeals document and the mention of "national prestige" could serve as a strategy to reduce the sentence in the appeals court.
Meanwhile, Hwang Ui-jo's second hearing in the appeals court is scheduled for next month.
Image source: Hwang Ui-jo / News1, News1
