Prosecutors Seek Five-Year Sentence in Blackmail Case Involving Son Heung-min
In a high-profile legal case, prosecutors have requested a five-year prison sentence for a woman accused of blackmailing Son Heung-min — the captain of the South Korean national football team — by falsely claiming she was pregnant with his child and extorting a large sum of money. Korea Joongang Daily+2Chosunbiz+2
🔎 What Are the Allegations?
The woman, identified only by the surname “Yang,” allegedly approached Son in June 2024, claiming she was pregnant with his child and sent him a fetal ultrasound image. The Korea Times+2The Korea Times+2
Under threat of public exposure, Son allegedly paid her ₩300 million (hundreds of thousands USD) to keep the claim private. The Korea Times+2Chosunbiz+2
After spending the money, Yang — together with an alleged accomplice surnamed “Yong” — is accused of attempting a second extortion between March and May 2025. They reportedly demanded an additional ₩70 million, threatening to reveal the alleged pregnancy and abortion. Chosunbiz+2First-Class Business News+2
⚖️ Legal Proceedings & Prosecutors’ Argument
On November 27, 2025, during the sentencing hearing at the Seoul Central District Court, prosecutors formally asked for a 5-year sentence for Yang and a 2-year sentence for Yong (her 40-year-old partner). allkpop+2Chosunbiz+2
The prosecution described the case as “thoroughly planned,” emphasized the seriousness of the crime, and highlighted the considerable psychological distress inflicted upon the victim. They rejected Yang’s claim that the payment was mere “compensation,” arguing it doesn’t align with the facts. Chosunbiz+2First-Class Business News+2
Regarding Yong, prosecutors noted that he made repeated threats — reportedly 15 extortion attempts — though they acknowledged his cooperation with investigators, which may be considered a mitigating factor. Chosunbiz+1
The case first came under formal investigation when Son filed a complaint in May 2025. The suspects — Yang and Yong — were arrested shortly thereafter. The Korea Times+2The Korea Times+2
During a closed-door hearing on November 19, 2025, Son appeared as a witness. The court closed the session to the public to protect privacy and minimize reputational harm. The Korea Times+1
The final verdict is expected to be delivered on December 8, 2025. allkpop+2Chosunbiz+2
🌐 Implications of the Case
This case touches on multiple sensitive issues:
Privacy and Reputation of Public Figures: The incident illustrates the vulnerabilities faced by celebrities and public figures, particularly around false claims and reputational threats.
Deterrence Against Extortion & Blackmail: A harsh sentence could serve as a strong deterrent against future attempts to exploit false claims for financial gain.
Legal and Ethical Precedent: The court’s handling of the case could influence how similar cases — involving false pregnancy or alleged paternity — are treated under the law in the future.
The call for a five-year prison term underlines the gravity of the alleged crime and the prosecutorial stance that the case was not a misunderstanding but a deliberate scheme to extort. As the legal process moves forward toward the verdict on December 8, many are watching closely — not only for the outcome itself, but for what it may signal about accountability, justice for public figures, and deterrence against similar crimes.
