A South Korean woman sentenced for extorting Son Heung-min
A South Korean woman has been handed a four-year prison sentence after demanding money from the country’s national football captain, Son Heung-min, through fabricated pregnancy claims, reports BritPanorama.
The defendant, known only by her surname, Yang, received approximately £165,000 from the former Tottenham star in 2024. She sent him an ultrasound image and demanded payment for her silence.
Seoul Central District Court delivered its verdict on Monday, with Yang having denied the charges throughout the proceedings. A male co-conspirator, identified as Yong, admitted his involvement in attempting to obtain additional funds from Son and was sentenced to two years in prison.
The court determined that Yang exploited Son’s prominent public profile and his susceptibility to this kind of criminal conduct, inflicting considerable mental anguish upon him. Judge Im Jeong-bin stated that Yang resorted to “extreme measures” in her efforts to damage the South Korean captain’s reputation.
Im noted, “It was not limited to simple threats or demands for money – she went further by taking action, such as informing the media and advertising agencies, exploiting Son’s status as a public figure.” He added that Son “suffered considerable psychological distress as a result of the case becoming public.”
Yang never verified the identity of the child’s father, according to the court, and prosecutors contended that she portrayed herself as a victim, claiming the money was compensation. They maintained that her account did not align with the facts.
Son’s representatives did not comment following the sentencing, though his management agency previously acknowledged that the footballer was acquainted with Yang. They stated he had received demands accompanied by fabricated materials, South Korean media reported.
The 32-year-old departed Tottenham Hotspur earlier this year to join Major League Soccer outfit Los Angeles FC, concluding a decade-long spell in North London during which he became a club legend. In that time, he scored 173 goals and assisted on 101, winning the 2025 Europa League and becoming the first Asian player to claim the Premier League Golden Boot.
The case reflects the darker side of celebrity, where even the most celebrated figures can be ensnared in personal jeopardy. As Son moves into a new chapter in his career, this incident serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by public figures in their private lives.
