A South Korean court has handed down a significant prison sentence in a case that has gripped the nation and shocked football fans worldwide. A woman in her 20s has been sentenced to four years in prison for blackmailing international football icon Son Heung-min with a fabricated pregnancy claim, a crime the court described as calculated, manipulative, and deeply damaging to the athlete’s mental wellbeing. Her accomplice, a man in his 40s who played a key role in threatening the player, received a two-year prison term for attempted blackmail.
The ruling, delivered in Seoul, brings closure to a disturbing case that underscores the vulnerability of high-profile figures to targeted criminal exploitation. According to prosecutors, the woman falsely claimed she was pregnant with Son’s child and used the allegation to extort 300 million won ($200,000; £153,000) from the football star. The pair threatened to expose the fabricated pregnancy to the public if Son refused to pay, an act that prosecutors said would have severely damaged the player’s image and reputation at the peak of his career.
A Carefully Planned Scheme
Court documents revealed that the woman approached Son in 2023, insisting that she was carrying his baby. Despite her claims, local media reported that she did not know whether the allegation was true but still proceeded with the extortion plan. The court heard that her objective was not to resolve any personal matter but to take advantage of Son’s global fame and his desire to maintain privacy.
According to reports from AFP, the woman used most of the extorted money to purchase luxury goods, designer items, and high-end products—an indication that the funds were never tied to any legitimate expense but rather spent lavishly without remorse.
Prosecutors emphasised that the woman made repeated attempts to justify her actions by portraying herself as a victim during the trial. However, the prosecution argued that her claims were inconsistent with the evidence and part of an elaborate scheme intended to deceive and manipulate.
“[The woman] insists she received the money as compensation and portrays herself as a victim,” prosecutors told the court. “But her claims do not fully match the facts.” They stressed that she “thoroughly planned” the blackmail and executed it with full awareness of the harm it would cause.
Accomplice Also Sentenced
The court found that the woman’s accomplice played a significant role in the extortion by threatening Son repeatedly. Prosecutors stated that the man contacted Son at least 15 times, pressuring him to comply with their demands. For this, he was sentenced to two years in prison after being convicted of attempted blackmail.
Their scam initially succeeded when Son, shocked and mentally distressed by the allegations, agreed to make the payment. But their demands escalated in 2024 when the pair sought even more money from the Korean football star. At that point, Son reported the matter to the police, leading to a full investigation and the eventual arrest of both suspects.
Court Recognises Son’s Mental Anguish
In delivering the sentence, the presiding judge noted that both defendants had exploited Son’s position as a world-renowned public figure. The judge emphasised that their actions caused significant emotional distress, stating that Son appeared to have suffered “intense mental anguish” particularly after the story was leaked to the media.
For a player whose clean image and disciplined career have made him a role model in South Korea and beyond, the ordeal represented a profound personal violation. The court stressed that the defendants’ manipulation was not only criminal but morally reprehensible.
Son Heung-min: A National and Global Icon
Son Heung-min remains one of Asia’s most successful and celebrated footballers. The 32-year-old forward joined Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) in August after a decade-long career at Tottenham Hotspur, where he became one of the Premier League’s most electrifying attackers. With the move, he became the second-highest paid player in Major League Soccer—a testament to his immense talent and global marketability.
In 2022, Son etched his name into football history when he became the first Asian player to win the Premier League Golden Boot, sharing the honour with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah. His rise has made him not only a sporting hero but also a cultural ambassador for South Korea, admired for his humility, discipline, and dedication.
Son’s popularity in South Korea is immense, often drawing comparisons to the impact global stars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have in their home countries. His success has inspired millions of young athletes across Asia, making this case particularly shocking to fans who see him as a beacon of professionalism and modesty.
Broader Implications of the Case
The court’s ruling sends a strong message about the consequences of exploiting public figures for financial gain. Legal analysts in South Korea note that this case could become a reference point in future rulings involving celebrity-targeted extortion, especially as high-profile personalities increasingly navigate privacy challenges in the digital age.
The case also highlights broader conversations about mental health and personal boundaries for professional athletes, who often face immense pressure on and off the field. For Son, the court’s recognition of his emotional suffering may serve as a small but meaningful step toward healing after a deeply traumatic experience.
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