Hwang releases handwritten statement, denies sex video claims

FC Seoul striker Hwang Ui-jo issued a statement Thursday refuting claims that he had illegally filmed sex videos.

Hwang Ui-jo swirled in a controversy after explicit pictures from his smartphone that the football player claimned was stolen was posted online. [YONHAP]

FC Seoul striker Hwang Ui-jo issued a statement Thursday refuting claims that he had illegally filmed sex videos.

Hwang revealed his hand-written statement through law firm Jeongsol.

“I have not done anything illegal, which many people have been concerned about,” his statement said. “The post that was written in the beginning is also baseless. I don’t know the person who shared that post and he or she is a criminal who threatened me by defaming me and using videos about my personal life.”

Hwang Ui-jo's statement [LAW FIRM JEONGSOL]

An unidentified individual shared an Instagram post on Sunday, criticizing Hwang for filming sex videos and storing them on his phone.

She introduced herself as someone who met Hwang before and said, “He slept with women as if he was dating them and then did not form any relationships because he had to go overseas again."

She added, “A lot of women have experienced a similar pattern and there are a lot of celebrities among them. He is seeing celebrities, influencers and non-celebrities all at the same time and I don’t know how many victims there will be.”

She even posted a video in which a naked person resembling Hwang is with a woman, whose face is not visible.

The original post along with the video were deleted, but those who recorded that video tried to sell it to others online.

Hwang also received a number of Instagram messages from multiple users saying that they will reveal details about his personal life.

“I am dealing with the case with a law firm in order to settle it in the most rapid and fairest manner,” his statement said. “I am going to cooperate the investigation as much as possible and I will ask for a fair legal punishment no matter what for the initial disseminator and those who caused damage afterward.”

Hwang filed a lawsuit against the individual accused of spreading rumors about him filing sex videos on Monday.

Hwang first lost his cellphone on Nov. 4 last year when he was playing for Olympiacos in Greece and has received multiple threatening messages from unknown individuals since last month saying, “I will spread this,” or “It will be fun if it is released,” according to Hwang’s attorney.

Hwang is a veteran forward with 56 caps and has played for FC Seoul since February while on loan from Premier League club Nottingham Forest.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]