A woman accused of orchestrating a brazen blackmail scheme against South Korean football superstar Son Heung-min has been handed a four-year jail sentence. The ruling was delivered on Monday by the Seoul Central District Court, according to a report by Yonhap News TV.
The defendant, identified only by her surname Yang and stated to be in her 20s, was convicted on charges of blackmail. Her accomplice, a man identified by the surname Yong, was also convicted of attempted blackmail and received a two-year prison term, as reported by Yonhap. Both individuals have been in custody since May.
The initial blackmail plot unfolded in 2024 when Yang reportedly extorted 300 million won (approximately $200,000) from the globally recognized Tottenham Hotspur forward. Yang carried out the scheme by sending Son a foetal ultrasound image and threatening to make public claims that she was pregnant with his child. Media reports indicated that she subsequently spent the large sum on designer goods and luxury items.
Despite the initial payout, Yang escalated her criminal efforts this year. She attempted to extort an additional $70 million won, this time working in collaboration with the second defendant, Yong. This second, coordinated attempt ultimately prompted the South Korean football star to report the individuals to authorities, leading directly to their arrest and subsequent indictment.
Local media outlets confirmed that Son Heung-min appeared in court last month during a closed trial session to provide testimony as a witness in the case.
