Soccer Star’s Sister-in-Law Faces 3 Years in Prison for Blackmail and Secret Sex Tape Scandal

The Korean soccer player, Hwang Ui Jo’s sister-in-law, has been sentenced to 3 years in prison for revealing and blackmailing him regarding his private life.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court’s third division, led by Justice Eom Sang Pil, upheld the original ruling on the 6th, sentencing Ms. Lee to 3 years in prison on charges of filming and distributing content using cameras under the Sexual Violence Punishment Act.

Lee was prosecuted in June last year for sharing photos and videos on Instagram, where she claimed to be Hwang’s ex-girlfriend and accused him of having relationships with multiple women, causing harm. She also threatened Hwang by saying things like, “It will be fun if the videos get leaked,” and “Look forward to it,” in an attempt to intimidate him into silence.

Initially, Lee denied the charges, claiming her internet router might have been hacked. However, during her first trial, she submitted a handwritten letter of reflection and confessed to the crime.

Both the first and second trials found Lee guilty and sentenced her to 3 years in prison.

Although Lee appealed, the Supreme Court dismissed her appeal, stating that the second trial’s ruling was error-free.

Meanwhile, the victims refused to accept compensation and urged for harsher punishment for Lee, arguing that the 3-year sentence was insufficient.

The victims’ legal representative criticized the court’s ruling, questioning whether a 3-year sentence is enough for the victims of illegal video distribution, adding that editing out the victims’ faces was not an act of kindness, and highlighting that the court does not fully grasp the victims’ fundamental fear and terror.

In July, the prosecution indicted Hwang Ui Jo on charges of violating the Sexual Violence Punishment Act (illegal filming using cameras) without detention.

Hwang is accused of illegally filming videos of himself engaging in sexual activities with two victims on four occasions between June and September 2022 without their consent.

Hwang’s first trial is scheduled for October 16 at the Seoul Central District Court.