South Korea suspend striker Hwang over sex tape allegation as police investigate

29 November 2023 , 20:52

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Hwang Ui-jo is on a season-long loan at Norwich from Nottingham Forest (Image: Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Norwich striker Hwang Ui-jo has been suspended by the South Korean national team after he was made the subject of a police investigation into allegations that he made an illegal sex tape.

Hwang, on loan from Premier League side Nottingham Forest, has been accused of filming a sexual encounter with his former girlfriend on his phone and sharing the footage on social media. The Korea Football Association (KFA)'s ethics committee suspended him on Tuesday, pending the outcome of a police inquiry. Hwang categorically denies the claims.

The 62-time international is spending the season loan in the Championship with Norwich and scored in their 3-2 loss away to Watford on Tuesday. The second-tier outfit are understood to be aware of the allegations and will continue to monitor developments.

Hwang played for South Korea in their two World Cup qualifying victories earlier this month, scoring in their 5-0 win over Singapore. The 31-year-old had been expected to be named in manager Jurgen Klinsmann's squad for the Asian Cup in January but his place is now in doubt.

"We have decided not to select Hwang Ui-jo for the national team until a clear conclusion is reached on the facts," the KFA committee explained in a statement. Boss Klinsmann, who was appointed earlier this year, added: "I fully understand the current situation and will respect the decision of the Korea Football Association."

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Hwang signed for Forest in August 2022, having spent three years with French club Bordeaux. He's yet to play for Forest's first-team, however, instead being loaned to Olympiacos, Seoul and now Norwich.

So far at Carrow Road, the ex-Gamba Osaka and Seongnam striker has scored three goals in 13 appearances. Five minutes after his thunderous strike against Watford, Hwang had to make way for team-mate Ashley Barnes.

Hwang Ui-jo scored for Norwich in their 3-2 loss at Watford on Tuesday (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

"It looks like a hamstring injury," Norwich manager David Wagner revealed post-match. "Obviously there will be a scan and then we will see how serious. We must wait to see how serious and what it really means, but obviously you've seen he's in good form. He scored goals for South Korea, scored for us in the last couple of games and before he worked very hard as well.

"I think he now comes back to his best because he has now settled quite well. Clearly it would be a blow if he is injured for a long time but I can almost say we are used to injuries now. We.ve had a lot of experience so far. Let's assess and then we will see how he will be long he will be injured."

Nathan Ridley