Son Heung-min blackmail suspect’s appearance sparks privacy debate

Yang, a woman in her 20s who claimed to be pregnant with the child of Tottenham Hotspur and Korean football star Son Heung-min and attempted to extort money from him, enters Seoul Central District Court on Saturday for a warrant hearing. Yonhap

Controversy has erupted online after a woman accused of blackmailing South Korean football captain Son Heung-min over a pregnancy claim appeared in public without a hat, with only her lower face concealed by a mask while being escorted to court, according to Newis and other outlets on Monday.

The woman, surnamed Yang and in her 20s, is under investigation for extorting 300 million won ($220,000) from Son after sending him an ultrasound image and threatening to reveal the alleged pregnancy.

She and a male accomplice, Yong, appeared at the Seoul Central District Court on Sunday for a warrant hearing. Judge Yoon Won-mook granted arrest warrants for both, citing concerns over possible destruction of evidence and flight risks.

During her appearance, Yang was photographed wearing a mask and a tracksuit, but without a hat — an accessory commonly used to further shield the identity of suspects. She tried to shield her face with police documents, but officers stopped her.

Many online users said the police failed to uphold her rights, especially since the charges are not yet confirmed.

Since 2005, Korean police have followed internal guidelines to protect suspects' privacy — including limiting the public display of their faces — based on recommendations from the National Human Rights Commission.

Police stated that hats were prepared and made available upon request. While Yong requested and wore one, Yang did not, and therefore was not provided with one.

A police official said, “It was never our intention to deny her protection or cause shame. The hat was available, but she didn’t ask for it.”

The official also noted that Yang’s outfit was her own choice and not what she wore at the time of her arrest. “She changed clothes before being escorted,” the source said.

Yang is accused of blackmailing Son in June last year and signed a confidentiality agreement in exchange for the money.

This article is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.