Seoul, December 09, 2025
A South Korean court sentenced a woman, identified as Yang, to four years in prison for attempting to blackmail football star Son Heung-min by falsely claiming pregnancy and extorting approximately $200,000. The ruling also sentenced two co-conspirators to two years each.
Blackmail Scheme and Initial Extortion
Yang approached Son Heung-min in 2024 with false claims that she was pregnant with his child. To substantiate her demand, she sent a fabricated ultrasound image, threatening to disclose the alleged pregnancy to the public unless paid. Son initially complied, transferring about $200,000 to her account.
Usage of Extorted Funds
Reports reveal that Yang spent the extorted money not on living expenses related to a child but on luxury and designer goods, betraying the purported motive behind her claims.
Escalation and Law Enforcement Response
Following the initial payment, Yang and her romantic partner, who acted as an accomplice, attempted further extortion. This led Son to seek police intervention resulting in their arrest and subsequent formal indictment.
Legal Sentencing and Judgement
The Seoul court differentiated sentences based on involvement levels: Yang received four years in prison, while her accomplices, including a man in his 40s, were each sentenced to two years for attempted blackmail. All defendants have been detained since May 2025. The presiding judge highlighted the abuse of Son’s public figure status and acknowledged significant emotional distress experienced by Son following the public revelation of the case.
This legal outcome underscores the judiciary’s strict stance against exploitation of public figures and fraudulent extortion tactics, with the defendants facing continued detention under custody as the case concludes.