Two individuals have been arrested in South Korea for attempting to blackmail Son Heung-min, the renowned captain of Tottenham Hotspur and one of Asia's soccer icons. A woman in her 20s has been accused of claiming that she was pregnant with Son's child, sending him an ultrasound image last year, and subsequently demanding hush money totaling $214,000.
The Seoul Central District Court issued an arrest warrant for her on Saturday night due to the gravity of the blackmail allegations. Alongside her, a man in his 40s was also jailed for allegedly threatening to expose the scandal if Son did not pay him an additional $50,000. The court deemed both suspects flight risks, prompting their arrest.
Representatives for Son, who is not only a stellar player for his club but also leads the South Korean national team, communicated with local authorities, asserting that their client has been victimized by these malicious claims. They expressed gratitude for the continued support from Son's fanbase while apologizing for the distress caused by the scandal.
During a court appearance, Ms. Yang, the accuser, remained silent when asked about the paternity claims, and Mr. Yong, the alleged accomplice, also refused to comment. It remains uncertain if Ms. Yang was pregnant at any time.
Son Heung-min, who holds prestigious records in European soccer, recently returned to the field after recovering from a foot injury and is gearing up for the Europa League final against Manchester United, showcasing his resilience amid personal controversies.
The Seoul Central District Court issued an arrest warrant for her on Saturday night due to the gravity of the blackmail allegations. Alongside her, a man in his 40s was also jailed for allegedly threatening to expose the scandal if Son did not pay him an additional $50,000. The court deemed both suspects flight risks, prompting their arrest.
Representatives for Son, who is not only a stellar player for his club but also leads the South Korean national team, communicated with local authorities, asserting that their client has been victimized by these malicious claims. They expressed gratitude for the continued support from Son's fanbase while apologizing for the distress caused by the scandal.
During a court appearance, Ms. Yang, the accuser, remained silent when asked about the paternity claims, and Mr. Yong, the alleged accomplice, also refused to comment. It remains uncertain if Ms. Yang was pregnant at any time.
Son Heung-min, who holds prestigious records in European soccer, recently returned to the field after recovering from a foot injury and is gearing up for the Europa League final against Manchester United, showcasing his resilience amid personal controversies.