Hwang Ui-jo Substituted in World Cup Qualifier Against China on 21st
"If Overseas Involved in Incident, Exclusion from National Team"
"Cautious Approach Until Accurate Investigation Results"
Debate is intensifying over the participation of national soccer player Hwang Ui-jo, who is under police investigation as a suspect on charges of illegal filming. Criticism argues that it is inappropriate for a person under police investigation to participate in national team matches, while a cautious view insists that the principle of presumption of innocence should be upheld until the investigation results are out.
The incident began in June this year. A person identified as A, who claims to be Hwang's ex-girlfriend, posted a video exposing Hwang's private life along with a message on social networking services (SNS). A claimed that there were videos and photos of women related to Hwang, including B, on Hwang's phone while pointing out his private life.
Hwang stated that he had his phone stolen in Greece last November and had been receiving threatening messages since May this year, threatening to distribute photos. He also asserted that the video was not illegally filmed. In June, Hwang filed a complaint against A for defamation by false facts and threats.
The police investigating the case changed Hwang's status to suspect regarding the illegal filming charge and summoned him for questioning on the 18th. On the 22nd, the police arrested A, who is accused of distributing Hwang's private videos and threatening him. During the investigation, it was revealed that A is Hwang's brother-in-law, which sparked controversy. However, it has not been confirmed whether A was actually Hwang's ex-girlfriend.
The legality of the video as illegal filming is also a subject of debate. Hwang and B have conflicting positions. B's legal representative stated on the 21st, "The victim did not initially consent to Hwang Ui-jo's filming," and added, "She expressed her refusal and immediately requested deletion after filming. There was no situation where Hwang could have reasonably assumed consent."
On the other hand, Hwang's legal representative argued on the 22nd, "The video was deleted at the request of the woman who was aware of its existence, and if they continued a long-term relationship thereafter, repeatedly filming and deleting with mutual recognition, it is questionable whether this can be considered illegal filming without consent."
Another controversy concerns Hwang's participation in A-match games. Hwang came on as a substitute in the second match of Group C in the '2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup Asian Second Qualifier' against China, held on the 21st at the Shenzhen Universiade Sports Center in China.
Under the current Football Association operation regulations, there is no clear provision applicable to Hwang, who has no definite charges. However, as a representative of the nation, he can be subject to the obligation to 'maintain dignity.'
Some have pointed out that coach J?rgen Klinsmann, being a foreigner, might be more lenient toward Hwang's charges compared to domestic sentiment. However, sports critic Choi Dong-ho explained that even overseas, players involved in criminal cases are excluded from national team matches.
On the 23rd, Choi said on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' "When incidents involving violence, sexual violence, or gambling occur, players are mostly excluded from the national team."
Choi cited Anthony Matheus dos Santos, who plays for Manchester United, as an example. "Anthony, a Brazilian national team player, was involved in a sexual violence case last September. As soon as it was reported, the Brazilian Football Confederation excluded him from the September A-match national team," he explained. "Manchester United also excluded him from the first team, and he was reinstated only after being cleared of charges."
However, since Hwang strongly asserts his innocence, a cautious view suggests waiting for the police investigation results. Lawyer Heo Ju-yeon said on YTN Radio on the 22nd, "Although the public may feel uncomfortable, the exact investigation results have not yet come out, and Hwang himself strongly denies the charges, so it is not possible to demand that he stop his activities immediately."
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