The case highlights the challenges faced by public figures in dealing with personal allegations and blackmail.
Two Arrested for Alleged Blackmail of Tottenham Star Son Heung-min
Two Arrested for Alleged Blackmail of Tottenham Star Son Heung-min
A woman claimed to be pregnant by the soccer star, demanding hush money and leading to criminal charges.
In a startling case, South Korean authorities have arrested two individuals on accusations of blackmailing Son Heung-min, the renowned captain of Tottenham Hotspur and celebrated soccer player from South Korea. The arrests were made following allegations that a woman in her 20s was claiming to be pregnant with Mr. Son's child and had previously sent him ultrasound images in June 2024.
The situation escalated when it was reported that the woman had solicited $214,000 from Mr. Son to keep the alleged pregnancy a secret. On the same day, a man in his 40s was also apprehended for allegedly threatening Mr. Son in March with the release of the scandal unless he received $50,000.
Both individuals had their arrest warrants issued by the Seoul Central District Court due to concerns they might flee the country. A statement from Mr. Son's agency underscored his position as the victim and confirmed that they had prompted the police investigation based on these false claims. The agency expressed regrets for any distress caused to Mr. Son's supporters due to the unfortunate claims.
As Ms. Yang, the woman at the center of the allegations, was escorted into court, she refrained from answering questions related to her claims, including whether she had indeed been pregnant. Similarly, Mr. Yong, the man implicated in the blackmail, declined to comment as well.
The police have revealed that the two suspects had a prior acquaintance, adding a layer of complexity to the case. It remains unclear if there is any truth to Ms. Yang's claims. Mr. Son continues to enjoy significant popularity, being a prominent figure in South Korean sports history, holding the record for the most goals scored by a Korean player in a single European league season and being the first Asian player to win the Premier League's Golden Boot.
Recently, Mr. Son made a return to the Premier League and is preparing to play in the upcoming Europa League final against Manchester United, amid the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding this scandal.
The situation escalated when it was reported that the woman had solicited $214,000 from Mr. Son to keep the alleged pregnancy a secret. On the same day, a man in his 40s was also apprehended for allegedly threatening Mr. Son in March with the release of the scandal unless he received $50,000.
Both individuals had their arrest warrants issued by the Seoul Central District Court due to concerns they might flee the country. A statement from Mr. Son's agency underscored his position as the victim and confirmed that they had prompted the police investigation based on these false claims. The agency expressed regrets for any distress caused to Mr. Son's supporters due to the unfortunate claims.
As Ms. Yang, the woman at the center of the allegations, was escorted into court, she refrained from answering questions related to her claims, including whether she had indeed been pregnant. Similarly, Mr. Yong, the man implicated in the blackmail, declined to comment as well.
The police have revealed that the two suspects had a prior acquaintance, adding a layer of complexity to the case. It remains unclear if there is any truth to Ms. Yang's claims. Mr. Son continues to enjoy significant popularity, being a prominent figure in South Korean sports history, holding the record for the most goals scored by a Korean player in a single European league season and being the first Asian player to win the Premier League's Golden Boot.
Recently, Mr. Son made a return to the Premier League and is preparing to play in the upcoming Europa League final against Manchester United, amid the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding this scandal.
