Two Arrested for Extorting Premier League Star Son Heung-min

Son Heung-min, star player for Tottenham Hotspur, was allegedly targeted for improper financial demands based on a purported pregnancy scam.

Two individuals were taken into custody in South Korea for allegedly blackmailing Son Heung-min, the celebrated captain of the Tottenham Hotspur soccer team, concerning false claims of paternity. The arrests were confirmed by police on Sunday, raising eyebrows across the nation where Son is regarded as a sports icon.

The accused, a South Korean woman in her twenties, was detained after the Seoul Central District Court authorized her arrest on Saturday evening for charges of blackmail. Reports indicate that she sent Son an ultrasound image last June, claiming she was pregnant with his child, and subsequently demanded hush money, allegedly receiving around $214,000 for her silence.

In addition, a man in his forties, who reportedly attempted to extract $50,000 from Son in exchange for keeping the scandal under wraps, was also arrested on the same day. The court deemed both suspects as potential flight risks, prompting swift action.

Son's management team made a public statement on Thursday urging law enforcement's involvement to investigate these individuals for what they characterized as malicious blackmail based on unfounded accusations. They made it clear that Son Heung-min is a victim in this scenario and expressed regret for the distress the situation has caused his supporters.

As the legal proceedings unfolded, the woman, identified only by her last name, Yang, remained tight-lipped while being escorted to a courtroom, responding to inquiries regarding her claims with silence. Meanwhile, the man, referred to as Yong, also chose not to give any statements. Yang later contended that she did not collaborate with Yong in his alleged extortion scheme.

Authorities have clarified that the two suspects knew each other, yet specifics of their relationship have not been disclosed. It remains uncertain if Yang had any real pregnancy prior to her allegations.

Son Heung-min, currently the captain of the South Korean national team, continues to make headlines not only for his sports prowess but also for setting records, including the most goals scored by a Korean player in a European league season and being the first Asian player to earn the Premier League's Golden Boot. Just last week, he returned to competitive play after a month-long recovery from a foot injury and is preparing for the upcoming Europa League final against Manchester United on Wednesday.