‘Man who threatened Son Heung-min had contacted news show, then vanished when asked for evidence’
Son Heung-min / Captured from JTBC
A man who is currently under police investigation for blackmailing football star Son Heung-min reportedly contacted JTBC’s investigative program “Case Team Leader” a month ago, the show’s producers revealed on Friday.
According to the production team, the man — now known to be one of the two individuals accused of extorting money from Son — approached the program claiming to have information about the athlete’s private life. However, once the producers requested evidence to verify his claims, he abruptly cut off contact.
Earlier reports confirmed that both a man and a woman had threatened Son by claiming the woman was pregnant, demanding money in return for their silence. Police are currently investigating the case.
The man allegedly told the show that he possessed incriminating messages exchanged via KakaoTalk, along with medical records involving a young woman and a South Korean soccer player. At the time, he did not disclose that the player in question was Son Heung-min.
He further claimed he had discovered the information through his girlfriend, stating he found files showing large money transfers and a confidentiality agreement on her phone. He reportedly told the producers, “He has a clean image in this country. I just want them both to go down.”
In response, Son’s side acknowledged that he had previously shared a positive personal relationship with the woman, but firmly denied all allegations regarding coercion or abortion. The authorities continue to investigate the matter.
This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.