Hwang Ui-jo Responds to Sister-in-Law's Confession: "Devastated by Family Betrayal... Will Strictly Counter Adultery Defamation"

"Leak of Investigation Secrets Through Broker... Suspicion of Unfair Investigation"

Soccer player Hwang Ui-jo (32, Alanyaspor)'s sister-in-law, Lee Mo, who was indicted for exposing and threatening his private life, submitted a letter of apology to the court, prompting Hwang Ui-jo's side to also make a statement.

The match between Korea and China in the second round of the Asian qualifiers for the '2026 North and Central America World Cup' held at the Shenzhen Universiade Sports Center in China. Before the match started, national team player Hwang Ui-jo closed his eyes and linked arms with his teammates during the playing of the national anthem.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 21st, Hwang Ui-jo's legal representative, law firm Daehwan, stated, "Hwang Ui-jo feels devastated upon facing betrayal by his family," adding, "We will respond strictly without leniency to the baseless slanders that portray the victim as the perpetrator, such as 'an affair with the sister-in-law,' 'some kind of relationship,' and 'shared interests.'"

Hwang Ui-jo's side noted, "We are focusing on the possibility that investigation secrets were leaked through a broker, involving collusion not only with investigative agencies but also with active legal professionals," and added, "We have suspicions that an unfair investigation was conducted under some kind of frame, as Hwang Ui-jo himself became a suspect and the humiliating investigation continued." They further stated, "We will sincerely cooperate with the prosecution's investigation going forward to prove his innocence."

Earlier, it was revealed that Lee Mo, Hwang Ui-jo's sister-in-law, recently submitted a handwritten letter of apology admitting to the charges to the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 31 (Presiding Judge Park Jun-seok). Lee was arrested and indicted on December 8 of the same year on charges of posting photos and videos on social media showing Hwang and women, claiming to be Hwang's former lover, and alleging that Hwang caused harm by having relationships with multiple women. Lee is also accused of threatening Hwang by sending messages such as "It will be fun if the footage is released" and "Look forward to it," indicating an intention to distribute the footage.

Lee had previously denied all charges. However, according to the letter of apology reported by Hankook Ilbo on the day, it included statements such as, "I devoted myself to supporting Hwang Ui-jo's success for five years, but felt betrayed when conflicts arose during the process of preparing to return to a British club last year," and "I committed the crime intending to threaten Hwang Ui-jo using videos of sexual relations with a woman found on his phone, to make him rely on us again." The court is expected to deliver the first trial verdict soon after concluding witness examinations.

Hwang Ui-jo's victim-side legal representatives strongly opposed, calling it "saving Hwang Ui-jo." The victim's side claimed, "The content of the letter of apology ultimately boils down to 'I am the only bad person, and Hwang Ui-jo is in a pitiful position,'" and added, "From the victim's perspective, they do not see Hwang Ui-jo and his sister-in-law as accomplices, but they believe these two are acting as a joint destiny community." Hwang Ui-jo, who is accused of illegal filming and secondary harm, was sent to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office without detention on the 8th.