[C/W - Content Warning]

Hwang Ui Jo, the national soccer team player for Seoul FC, made a statement that he would be taking firm legal action against the online leak of his private life. The famous soccer player is claiming to be the victim of "Revenge Porn," where intimate content is shared as retaliation after a relationship ends. 

However, the individual who is responsible for leaking the video on social media is making allegations against the soccer player that the soccer player has many hidden camera sex footage along with illegally taken photos and videos stored on his cellphone. If these claims are true, Hwang Ui Jo could potentially face legal consequences.

The individual behind the leak, who is believed to be Hwang Ui Jo's ex-girlfriend, stated, "There are numerous videos and photos on Hwang Ui Jo's cellphone that were obtained by deceiving and gaslighting countless women." With her claim, the leaker uploaded a video showing Hwang Ui Jo being undressed during a video call with a woman. Online users have not taken this issue too seriously. However, experts have compared the situation to revenge pornography, which involves the distribution of sexual content to seek revenge against a former partner.

Seung Jae Hyun, a senior researcher at the Korea Criminal Justice Policy Institute, explained that even if consent was given during filming, circulating the video without the subject's consent could lead to punishment under the Sexual Violence Punishment Act. According to Article 14, Paragraph 2 of the act, individuals who distribute recorded material against the will of the subject, even if they were involved in the filming process, can face imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 50 million KRW (38,297 USD).

However, if the leakers claim that many videos and photos were taken without consent are stored in Hwang Ui Jo's cell phone, Hwang Ui Jo could also be subject to punishment under the Sexual Violence Punishment Act.

The leaker alleged that Hwang Ui Jo engaged in fleeting relationships with various women, giving them the impression of a romantic connection before abruptly severing ties due to his recurring overseas commitments. The leaker claimed, "This pattern has been experienced by numerous women, and a significant number of them happen to be celebrities. He maintains simultaneous connections with celebrities, influencers, and non-public figures alike. It's hard to estimate the potential number of individuals affected by this behavior." Hwang Ui Jo was linked to T-ara's Hyomin in January 2022 before both parties stated they broke up a few months later in March 2022.

Meanwhile, Hwang Ui Jo's side maintains that these allegations are unfounded. His management company UJ Sports, has stated, "We have confirmed that rumors and baseless sexual slander related to Hwang Ui Jo's private life have spread. None of the content currently circulating on social media is true."