Hwang Ui-jo Illegal Filming Allegation, Political Circles Also Call for 'Disciplinary Action'

Munchewi Member of the Ruling Party Lee Yong-ho Interview on BBS
"Damage to Athletes' Dignity... Hope Chukhyup Acts Quickly"

In the political sphere, voices have emerged calling for strict measures regarding soccer national team player Hwang Ui-jo's alleged illegal filming. On the 27th, Lee Yong-ho, a member of the People Power Party, urged the Korea Football Association (KFA) to impose strong disciplinary action, stating, "I believe Hwang Ui-jo should not participate in matches."

Lee, a member of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, said in an interview with BBS Radio's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal' on the same day, "National representatives are social public figures representing Korea, but beyond causing moral controversy, there are reports that illegal filming occurred, the footage was distributed, secondary victimization remarks were made, and there are claims of additional victims. In such circumstances, it is inappropriate to wear the national team Taegeuk mark and play."

Lee Yong-ho, Member of the People Power Party. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Lee continued, "There are regulations for managing the national soccer team. If an athlete severely damages their dignity, a disciplinary review can be held by the Fair Trade Commission. Even based on what has come out so far, the dignity has been greatly damaged. The Football Association must act swiftly and strictly," he emphasized.

On the 25th, Lee also posted on social media, "As a member of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, I urge the Korea Football Association to take strict disciplinary measures such as banning Hwang Ui-jo from participating," adding, "The Korea Football Association and related authorities including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism must take immediate strict action so that the public no longer feels uncomfortable due to the unpleasant news about a soccer player."

Hwang is accused of illegally filming private videos with a woman he previously dated. While Hwang's side claims the videos were consensual and denies leaking them, the victim's side counters that there was no consent to filming, leading to conflicting claims.

In mid-June, the police changed Hwang's status to that of a suspect.

Controversy also arose over Hwang's side mentioning some personal information of the victim appearing in the leaked video in a statement released on the 22nd.

Regarding this, Professor Lee Soo-jung of the Department of Criminal Psychology at Kyonggi University appeared on YTN's 'The News' and said, "It is difficult to believe that the disclosure through legal representatives, seemingly as a form of threat, was done without intent," adding, "Acts that identify the victim against their will and cause them to receive social criticism, such as revealing the victim's identity, can be considered secondary victimization under the Act on the Prevention of Violence Against Women."