A South Korean woman was jailed for 4 years for blackmailing Son Heung-min. She claimed to be pregnant and demanded $200,000.
A South Korean court has jailed a woman for four years after she was found guilty of blackmailing football star Son Heung-min.
The 33-year-old, formerly Tottenham captain and now with Los Angeles FC, was targeted by a woman in her twenties and a man in his forties who claimed she was carrying his child.
Local media reported that the woman contacted Son last year, claiming she was pregnant with his child — though she had no proof.
She demanded 300 million won ($200,000) and threatened to go public unless he paid.
According to prosecutors, the woman spent the money on luxury designer items. They added that she tried to frame herself as a victim, but the court said her story didn’t match the facts and that the crime was well-planned.
The woman’s accomplice, who repeatedly threatened Son to get the money, was sentenced to two years in prison for attempted blackmail.
Son contacted authorities when the pair tried to extract more funds this year.
The court said both defendants took advantage of Son’s international fame, causing him intense mental anguish due to media attention.
Son is a celebrated figure in South Korea and across Asia, having become the first Asian player to win the Premier League Golden Boot in 2022.
Earlier this year, Son moved from Tottenham after 10 years to join Los Angeles FC, becoming the most expensive player in Major League Soccer history.
In October, he was ranked as the second-highest-paid player in MLS, further highlighting his global football profile.
