Blackmailer of Son Heung‑min Sentenced to Four Years

South Korean courts on Monday sentenced a woman in her twenties and her accomplice to four and two years imprisonment respectively for blackmailing Tottenham Hotspur and LAFC star Son Heung‑min.

The Seoul district court heard the woman claimed she was pregnant with Son’s child last year, demanding a total of 300 million won (about GH₵ 13 million) and threatening to expose the allegation if he refused, according to local media reports.

Prosecutors said the pair meticulously planned the scheme, with the male accomplice issuing up to fifteen threats before the victim involved the police this year.

“The defendants abused Son’s celebrity status for personal gain,” the presiding judge stated, adding that the footballer suffered intense mental anguish after the case became public.

AFP reported the woman splurged the illicit cash on luxury designer goods, while she later portrayed herself as a victim, claiming the money was compensation – a claim prosecutors said did not match the evidence.

Son, 33, left Tottenham after a decade to join Los Angeles Football Club in August, marking the most expensive transfer in Major League Soccer history. He was named the second‑highest‑paid MLS player in October.

The footballer enjoys a massive fan base across Asia and among the Ghanaian diaspora in South Korea, where local Ghanaian businesses reported a surge in viewership of his matches. Ghanaian fans, who have long cheered for Asian talents in Europe, expressed support on social media, noting that the case underscores the pressures elite athletes face.

Legal experts in Accra note the sentencing reflects South Korea’s tough stance on extortion, a reminder for Ghanaian athletes and public figures abroad to safeguard against similar scams.

The case remains under review for possible civil damages, and Son’s representatives have said they will continue to cooperate with authorities to protect his reputation.

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE