Prosecutors Indict Group for 'Son Heung-min Threat'... Former Lover Charged with 'Attempted Extortion'

[Financial News] Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min (33) was targeted by a 20s woman and a 40s man who claimed pregnancy and demanded a large sum of money.

The second attempt to extort money this year, initially thought to be the sole act of the 40s man, was revealed by additional prosecution investigation to have been conspired by the two people.

The Criminal Division 3 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Choi Soon-ho) indicted a 20s woman, Ms. Yang, on charges of extortion and attempted extortion, and a 40s man, Mr. Yong, on charges of attempted extortion, while they remain in custody.

Ms. Yang, who was in a romantic relationship with Mr. Son, is accused of sending a fetal ultrasound photo to Mr. Son in June last year, claiming pregnancy, and extorting 300 million won.

Mr. Yong, Ms. Yang's boyfriend, is also accused of demanding 70 million won in March this year (attempted extortion).

Earlier, Mr. Son's side filed a complaint against them for extortion on the 7th of last month.

The Gangnam Police Station, which received the case, arrested the two on the 14th of last month, detained them on the 17th, and sent them to the prosecution on the 22nd.

Prosecutors found that Ms. Yang initially tried to demand money by informing another man of her pregnancy, but when the man did not respond, she turned to Mr. Son, claiming to be pregnant with his child and demanding money.

Prosecutors stated, "It was confirmed that 300 million won was extorted from the victim, who feared damage to his social reputation and career as an athlete."

Furthermore, it was investigated that Ms. Yang squandered all the extorted money and, suffering from financial difficulties, attempted to extort money again from Mr. Son through her romantic partner, Mr. Yong.

After receiving the case, the prosecution conducted additional searches and secured call records, revealing that the second extortion attempt, initially thought to be Mr. Yong's sole act in March-May this year, was actually conspired by Ms. Yang and Mr. Yong.

As a result, Mr. Yong was additionally charged with attempted extortion.


hsg@fnnews.com Reporter Han Seung-gon