A woman who blackmailed South Korean football superstar Son Heung-min by falsely claiming she was the mother of his child has been sentenced to four years in prison by the Seoul Central District Court.
The woman, surnamed Yang (in her 20s), and her accomplice were indicted after they extorted 300 million won (approximately $200,000 USD) from Son last year. Yang reportedly sent the Los Angeles FC star a foetal ultrasound image and threatened to go public with the false claims.
Details of the Extortion and Sentence
Reports indicate that Yang splurged the initial ransom money on luxury and designer goods. Subsequently, she and her accomplice, surnamed Yong (with whom she was reportedly in a romantic relationship), attempted to extort a further 70 million won from the footballer. Son contacted the police, leading to their subsequent arrest and indictment.
On Monday, the Seoul Central District Court handed down a four-year jail term to Yang for blackmail. Her co-conspirator, Yong, was given a two-year term for attempted blackmail.
Judge’s Comments on Tarnish and Distress
Judge Im Jeong-bin emphasized the severity of Yang’s actions, noting that she took “extreme measures” in her bid to tarnish Son’s reputation.
“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,” Im said.
The judge also acknowledged the severe impact on the victim: “Son suffered considerable psychological distress as a result of the case becoming public.”
Contradictory Claims
Regarding the core claim, the court noted that it remains unclear whether Yang was actually carrying the star footballer’s child.
“After learning about her pregnancy, Yang did not verify whose child it was,” Judge Im said. “Although Yang said she believed the fetus was Son’s, her testimony was inconsistent and therefore difficult to accept.”
The 33-year-old former Tottenham captain Son Heung-min (a player for your second-favorite club, Tottenham, before his move) appeared at a closed trial session and gave testimony as a witness last month. He arrived in California in August after the most expensive transfer in MLS history, estimated at $26 million.
Source: Super Sports
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