Post by : Rameen Ariff

A South Korean court has sentenced a woman to four years in prison for extorting national football team captain and Major League Soccer star Son Heung-min, after falsely claiming she was pregnant with his child. The ruling was confirmed by Yonhap news agency on Monday.

The woman, identified only by her surname Yang, is in her 20s. Prosecutors said she threatened to reveal her alleged pregnancy to the public unless she received money from the footballer. Fearing damage to his reputation and career, Son agreed to pay her 300 million won (about $205,000) in exchange for her silence.

However, after receiving the payment, Yang attempted to pressure Son once again—this time demanding an additional 70 million won. The continued threats led to her arrest and subsequent indictment earlier this year.

During the trial, the court noted that Yang’s actions were deliberate and meant to inflict emotional and financial harm on the player. The judge stated that her attempt to repeatedly demand money showed a clear intention to exploit Son Heung-min’s public status.

The case has drawn widespread attention in South Korea, where Son remains one of the country’s most admired athletes. The football star, who plays in the MLS and leads the South Korean national team, has not issued a detailed public statement but is reported to have fully cooperated with the investigation.

Authorities emphasised that the ruling sends a strong message against the rising number of blackmail cases involving high-profile figures. The court also acknowledged the significant mental stress the player endured throughout the ordeal.

#Sports News