Prosecution Service Requests Prison Sentences for Group Who Blackmailed Son Heung-min Over Fake Pregnancy... "Victim Suffered Significant Distress"

[The Financial News] The Prosecution Service has requested prison sentences for a group who attempted to extort money by claiming to be pregnant with footballer Son Heung-min’s child.
On the 27th, during the sentencing hearing for Ms. Yang, who is charged with attempted extortion, at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 20 (Judge Jeongbin Lim presiding), the Prosecution Service requested a five-year prison sentence. Mr. Yong, who was indicted alongside her, was recommended for a two-year sentence.
The Prosecution Service stated, "Ms. Yang claims she received compensation and portrays herself as a victim, but this does not fully align with the substantive truth. This was a meticulously planned crime of a serious nature and poor character, and the victim appears to have suffered significant psychological distress."
Regarding Mr. Yong, the prosecution noted, "He committed repeated acts of intimidation, threatening 15 times to obtain money, which shows extremely poor character." However, they added, "We ask the court to consider his cooperation during the investigation and the fact that the crime was not completed."
In her final statement, Ms. Yang said, "When I told him about the pregnancy, my brother (Son Heung-min) asked me to come alone, but a written agreement was already prepared. He told me to send a photo as proof of the procedure, which I did, and instructed me to dispose of my phone, so I did. I tried to prevent harm to Son Heung-min."
The court is scheduled to deliver its verdict for both defendants on the 8th of next month.
Ms. Yang was arrested and indicted for extorting 300 million won from Mr. Son by threatening to reveal her alleged pregnancy in June last year. Mr. Yong is also accused of conspiring with Ms. Yang between March and May to threaten to disclose the pregnancy and abortion to the media and Son's family, attempting to extort an additional 70 million won, but ultimately failing.
theknight@fnnews.com Jung Kyung-soo Reporter