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| Son Heung-Min wearing Tottenham Hotspur outfit |
On May 15, the Gangnam Police Department in Seoul announced it had secured arrest warrants for both suspects:
- Suspect A: A woman in her 20s who initiated the extortion
- Suspect B: A male acquaintance in his 40s who attempted a second extortion in 2025
Both were detained after police searched their residences and collected evidence, including mobile phones and digital records.
According to JoongAng Ilbo, the woman contacted Son Heung-min in June 2024, claiming she was pregnant with his child. She allegedly sent him ultrasound images and used the pregnancy as leverage to repeatedly demand money. Son eventually agreed to a 300 million KRW settlement to avoid scandal.
However, in March 2025, the woman’s male accomplice—Suspect B—contacted Son’s representatives, demanding an additional 70 million KRW and threatening to expose the story publicly. He even sent the ultrasound images to the SON Football Academy, where Son’s father, Son Woong-jung (63), serves as director.
Authorities are now investigating the authenticity of the ultrasound images, as there are discrepancies between the alleged pregnancy timeline and Son Heung-min’s testimony. Police have not ruled out the possibility that the images were doctored or fabricated.
After receiving a formal complaint from Son’s legal team on May 7, police began their investigation and obtained arrest warrants on May 12. Both suspects were taken into custody on May 14, and interrogation is ongoing.
In an official statement released on May 15, Son & Football Limited—Son Heung-min’s management company—emphasized:
“Son Heung-min is clearly the victim of criminal extortion. We reported the case to the police due to serious threats and the spread of false information designed to harm our client’s reputation. These claims are completely fabricated.”
The agency vowed to pursue strong legal action and confirmed that it would cooperate fully with authorities to ensure the suspects face maximum penalties. They also promised to release further updates as the investigation progresses.
This incident has drawn widespread attention in South Korea, reigniting concerns over celebrity blackmail, privacy invasion, and fake paternity claims. Legal experts and fans alike are urging authorities to take a firm stance against such crimes, particularly when they target public figures with fabricated allegations.
📚 Learn Korean Through This News
Korean Text:
"한국 축구대표팀 주장인 손흥민(33·토트넘 홋스퍼)의 아이를 가졌다고 협박하고 수억원을 요구한 일당이 경찰에 붙잡힌 가운데, 손흥민이 협박한 여성과 과거에 교제한 것으로 알려졌다."
Key Vocabulary:
- 축구대표팀 (chuk-gu dae-pyo-tim) – national soccer team
- 주장 (ju-jang) – captain (of a team)
- 협박하다 (hyeop-bak-ha-da) – to threaten / blackmail
- 수억원 (su-eok-won) – several hundred million won
- 요구하다 (yo-gu-ha-da) – to demand / request
- 일당 (il-dang) – group of offenders / accomplices
- 붙잡히다 (but-jap-hi-da) – to be caught / arrested
- 가운데 (ga-un-de) – in the midst of / while
- 교제하다 (gyo-je-ha-da) – to date / to be in a relationship
- 알려지다 (al-lyeo-ji-da) – to become known / be revealed
Grammar Notes:
- ~다고 협박하다 – “to threaten that…”: 아이를 가졌다고 협박하고 → “threatened (him), claiming they were pregnant with his child”
- ~는 가운데 – “in the midst of / while this is happening”:
- ~과 교제한 것으로 알려졌다 – “It was revealed that (someone) used to date (someone)”
Translation:
"While a group was arrested by the police for blackmailing Korea’s national soccer team captain Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham Hotspur), claiming to be pregnant with his child and demanding several hundred million won, it has been revealed that Son previously dated the woman who made the threat."
References: sbs news, chosun news, hankyung, joongang news
Keywords
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