South Korean Woman Gets Four-Year Sentence for Extorting Son Heung-min With Fake Pregnancy Claim

A South Korean woman has been sentenced to four years in prison for attempting to extort football star Son Heung-min by falsely claiming she was pregnant with his child, according to reports from Yonhap News Agency. Her accomplice also received two years behind bars for participating in the scheme.

What Happened?
⦁ False Pregnancy Claim:
The woman, identified as Yang, told Son in 2024 that she was pregnant with his child. To make the lie more convincing, she sent him an ultrasound image and demanded 300 million won (about USD $205,000) in exchange for keeping the story private.
  
⦁ Misuse of Funds:
After Son transferred the money, Yang reportedly spent most of it on luxury items instead of anything related to the fabricated pregnancy.

⦁ Second Extortion Attempt:
In early 2025, Yang and a man surnamed Yong attempted to demand an additional 70 million won. They threatened to reveal the alleged pregnancy and an unverified abortion to Son’s family and the media if he refused to pay.

⦁ Son Takes Action:
Feeling targeted and threatened, Son reported the blackmail attempt to authorities. The investigation quickly led to the pair’s arrest, and the court later confirmed there was no evidence proving she was ever pregnant.

Court’s Decision
⦁ Four Years for Yang:
Yang was convicted of extortion and attempted blackmail, receiving a four-year prison sentence for orchestrating the scheme.

⦁ Two Years for Yong:
Yong, who supported the plan and helped pressure Son, was sentenced to two years in prison.

⦁ Court’s Remarks:
The judge described the crimes as “serious offenses,” emphasizing the emotional strain and reputational damage the false claims could have caused to Son, a well-known global athlete.

Why This Case Is Significant
⦁ Strong Legal Reminder:
The ruling highlights that fabricating sensitive personal claims to exploit public figures carries severe consequences.

⦁ Celebrity Vulnerability:
It demonstrates how easily public figures can become targets of manipulation, false accusations, and coercion.

⦁ Closure for Fans:
Supporters of Son Heung-min now have clarity and reassurance as the case reaches a firm legal conclusion.

💬 Final Thoughts
The four-year sentence brings closure to a highly publicized extortion case involving one of Asia’s biggest football stars. What began as a fabricated pregnancy story escalated into repeated blackmail attempts—now met with a decisive legal response intended to prevent similar schemes in the future.