Police may investigate footballer Hwang Ui-jo, lawyers for releasing personal details of sex video victim

Hwang Ui-jo [YONHAP]

Police may expand their legal case against star footballer Hwang Ui-jo, who is accused of illegally filming sexual encounters without his partners' knowledge, and his legal team for allegedly inflicting secondary damage on a victim by releasing her personal information.

Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said on Monday that they are examining the case from several angles to determine whether Hwang or his lawyers could be charged for disclosing the information.

“If Hwang or his legal team are responsible for causing secondary damage, the police will investigate the point extensively,” the police said.

Last month, a woman who appeared in what seemed to be sex video footage released on social media claimed Hwang recorded the encounter without her knowledge.

Hwang’s legal team responded on Nov. 22, claiming the video was consensual while revealing what seemed to be identifying clues about the partner.

This sparked public condemnation of Hwang's lawyers for seemingly inflicting secondary harm on the woman.

The attorney of the woman in the video condemned Hwang and his team on Nov. 23, slamming them for “wickedly unveiling the victim’s personal information.”

Police say digital forensic analysis of Hwang's electronic devices is nearly complete.

“We need to question Hwang more,” the police said. “He will be called into the precinct once the schedule is arranged.”

The police added that they had obtained solid proof regarding the leakage of the footage, though they refused to release details.

BY KIM JI-HYE, LEE SOO-JUNG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]