A woman has been sentenced to four years in prison for attempting to blackmail South Korean football star Son Heung-min. The Seoul Central District Court issued the verdict on Monday, bringing an end to a case that sought to extort money from one of Asia’s most celebrated footballers.
The woman, identified only as Yang, was found guilty of extortion and attempted extortion. She denied the charges throughout the proceedings, but the court confirmed that she had lied to the player as part of her scheme.
Court documents reveal that the crime took place in 2024, when Yang sent Son an ultrasound image of a baby she claimed was his. She then demanded 300 million won, approximately $204,000, in exchange for remaining silent about the alleged pregnancy. She had not confirmed the child’s paternity and used the false claim to pressure Son for money.
Yang later conspired with a man named Yong to demand additional funds. Yong admitted his involvement and received a two-year prison sentence. At the time of the attempted extortion, Son was still playing for Tottenham Hotspur. South Korean authorities had detained the suspects last year, culminating in the court’s ruling this week.
The sentencing closes a challenging chapter for Son, who moved to Los Angeles FC in August following a decade in the English Premier League. The blackmail attempt did not affect his high-profile transfer or his performance on the field.
Legal experts have noted that the ruling sends a strong message about the serious consequences of targeting public figures with false claims. The court’s firm stance reinforces protections for individuals against predatory schemes and allows Son to focus fully on his career with LAFC.
