A South Korean court has handed down prison sentences to two individuals convicted of attempting to blackmail international football star Son Heung-min. The Seoul Central District Court sentenced a woman in her twenties to four years imprisonment, while a male accomplice in his forties received a two-year term for their roles in a scheme to extort money from the athlete by falsely claiming she was pregnant with his child.
The case, which has drawn significant media attention in Son’s home nation, centred on allegations that began prior to the player’s high-profile transfer to Los Angeles FC in August 2024. The perpetrators contacted the former Tottenham Hotspur captain asserting the woman was carrying his child, supporting the claim with an ultrasound image despite having undertaken no paternity verification. They subsequently secured a payment of 300 million won, equivalent to roughly $200,000, through a series of threats to publicise the allegation.
According to court proceedings, the extortion escalated earlier this year when the pair demanded additional funds. This prompted Son to involve law enforcement, leading to a criminal investigation and the eventual trial. Prosecutors detailed that the male defendant made approximately fifteen separate threats to ensure the initial payment was made. The court heard that the extracted money was used by the woman to purchase luxury items.
In delivering the verdict, the judiciary rejected the female defendant’s assertion that the funds constituted legitimate compensation, instead affirming the act as criminal extortion. Prosecutors underscored this position, stating, "[The woman] insists she received the money as compensation and portrays herself as a victim... But her claims do not fully match the facts." The court noted she had "lied" to the footballer regarding the pregnancy’s paternity.
The presiding judge acknowledged the significant personal toll on the athlete, stating that Son endured "intense mental anguish" following the public circulation of details related to the case. The sentence reflects the severity with which the South Korean legal system views crimes exploiting public figures, considering the damage to reputation and psychological distress inflicted.
Son Heung-min, a national icon and one of Asia’s most celebrated footballers, has maintained his professional commitments throughout the ordeal. His move to Major League Soccer’s LAFC marked a new chapter in his illustrious career, which has been largely untarnished by off-pitch controversy until this incident. The conclusion of the trial allows for a measure of closure, though the case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities facing high-profile individuals.
Legal analysts suggest the sentences are intended to act as a deterrent against similar attempts to leverage fame for financial gain. With the judicial process now complete, the focus returns to Son’s sporting endeavours, as he continues his career in North America while the convicted individuals begin their custodial terms.