Son Heung-min dated woman who faked pregnancy, paid hush money, report claims
Son Heung-min speaks to reporters at Goyang Stadium in Gyeonggi Province on March 19, a day before Korea's World Cup qualifier against Oman. Yonhap
A woman in her 20s and a man in his 40s have been apprehended for blackmailing South Korea's national football team captain and Tottenham Hotspur F.C. forward Son Heung-min, falsely claiming she was pregnant with his child.
According to the Seoul Gangnam Police Station on Thursday, the woman, identified only as "A," was detained on charges of blackmail. At the same time, the man, "B," was taken in on suspicion of attempted blackmail.
Investigators also searched their residences and filed for arrest warrants for both suspects on Thursday night.
According to a report by the Chosun Ilbo on Friday, Son had been in a relationship with the woman. In June last year, she sent him an ultrasound image, claiming she was pregnant.
The timing of the alleged pregnancy claimed by the woman differs from the account provided by Son’s side, according to sources. Police are reviewing the materials she submitted and believe there is a strong possibility they were fabricated.
The newspaper, citing sources, reported that the woman extorted 300 million won ($219,000) from Son, threatening to make the alleged pregnancy public. Son’s side complied with the demand due to concerns regarding potential reputational harm.
After receiving 300 million won from Son, she is also said to have signed a written pledge not to disclose the matter publicly.
She later ended her relationship with Son and began dating B. After learning about her past with the footballer, the man contacted Son’s team in March, demanding an additional 70 million won and threatening to go public with the false pregnancy claim.
Son’s manager endured three months of pressure from the man before bringing the matter to Son’s attention. After learning about the threats, Son urged his team to stop tolerating the false accusations and to proceed with strong legal action.
Unlike the earlier case, Son’s side refused to give B any money. he is reported to have a criminal history involving similar offenses. Police applied for warrants and arrested in Seoul and another region.
Son’s agency said he is clearly the victim in the case and will pursue the matter without seeking any settlement.
This article is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.