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Court delivers verdict in Son Heung-min extortion case
A Seoul district court sentenced a woman in her 20s to four years in prison on Monday for blackmailing football star Son Heung-min, falsely claiming she was pregnant with his child.
Allegations and extortion scheme
The woman approached Son last year, asserting she was carrying his child, though she later admitted she was uncertain about the claim, according to local media reports. She demanded 300 million won ($200,000; £153,000) from the athlete, threatening to publicize the allegation if he refused.
Spending spree and legal defense
The woman reportedly spent the extorted funds on luxury and designer goods, as stated by AFP. Prosecutors dismissed her argument that the money was compensation, calling her claims inconsistent with the evidence. They accused her of meticulously planning the crime.
Accomplice sentenced, Son's response
A male accomplice in his 40s, who made 15 threats to Son to secure the payment, received a two-year prison term for attempted blackmail. When the pair demanded additional money earlier this year, Son reported the matter to authorities.
Judge highlights impact on Son
The presiding judge noted that the defendants exploited Son's celebrity status and caused him significant mental distress, particularly after the case gained media attention. Son, a globally recognized athlete, has faced intense public scrutiny in South Korea and beyond.
Son's career and achievements
In October, Son was named the second-highest paid footballer in Major League Soccer (MLS), North America's top-tier league. The 33-year-old left Tottenham Hotspur in August after a decade, joining Los Angeles FC in a record-breaking transfer for MLS.
Son is widely regarded as one of Asia's finest footballers. In 2022, he became the first Asian player to win the Premier League's Golden Boot, awarded to the league's top goal scorer.
"The defendants abused Son's fame for their crime, and he endured severe mental anguish as a result," the judge stated.
