The 4-Year Sentence: Everything Known About The Woman Who Blackmailed Son Heung-min And The Extortion Scandal
The sensational blackmail case targeting South Korean football superstar Son Heung-min reached its legal conclusion, with the primary defendant, a woman identified only as Ms. Yang, receiving a four-year prison sentence. As of December 22, 2025, the court’s ruling has provided closure to a scandal that rocked the sports world, revealing a calculated plot of extortion based on a false pregnancy claim.
The public’s intense curiosity, particularly regarding the identity and "face" of the blackmailer, has been a central point of discussion throughout the legal proceedings. While her full personal details remain protected by South Korean law, the partial exposure of her identity during her court appearance sparked a significant debate over privacy rights versus the public’s right to know in high-profile criminal cases.
The Blackmailer's Profile and The Legal Verdict
The woman at the center of the extortion plot was only identified by her surname, Ms. Yang, and is in her 20s. She was the main perpetrator in a scheme that attempted to extort a massive sum of money from the then-Tottenham Hotspur forward, Son Heung-min.
- Primary Defendant: Ms. Yang (surname only)
- Age: In her 20s
- Co-Defendant: An accomplice (a man)
- Victim: Son Heung-min (Footballer, formerly Tottenham Hotspur, now LAFC)
- Court: Seoul Central District Court
- Charge: Blackmail and attempted extortion
- Sentence (Ms. Yang): Four years in prison
- Sentence (Co-Defendant): Two years in prison
- Extorted Amount: 300 million KRW (approximately $220,000 / £153,000)
The Calculated Plot: False Pregnancy and Extortion
The scheme began in June 2024 when Ms. Yang first contacted Son Heung-min, who was still a key player for Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League at the time. The core of the plot was a shocking and completely false claim: that she was pregnant with the footballer’s child.
Ms. Yang and her male co-conspirator then began to threaten Son. They demanded a significant sum of money, threatening to publicly expose the fabricated pregnancy to the media and the public, which would have caused immense damage to the football star’s reputation and career.
The pair successfully extorted 300 million Korean Won from the athlete. This successful initial extortion led to further attempts, which ultimately resulted in Son Heung-min filing a complaint with the South Korean police. The swift legal action by Son’s legal team and his subsequent testimony in the Seoul courtroom were crucial in securing the conviction of both defendants.
The Legal Hammer: Why the Sentences Were Severe
The Seoul Central District Court delivered a strong message with its sentencing. Ms. Yang was handed a four-year prison term, while her male accomplice received two years. The severity of the sentence was attributed to several aggravating factors:
- High Extortion Amount: The 300 million KRW successfully extorted was a substantial sum, demonstrating the seriousness of the financial crime.
- Damage to Reputation: The crime was particularly heinous as it targeted a public figure’s personal life and professional reputation, using a highly sensitive and false claim (pregnancy) as leverage.
- Calculated Nature: The court noted the crime was not impulsive but a carefully planned and executed scheme involving two individuals.
- Lack of Remorse: While not explicitly stated in all reports, the court often considers the defendant's attitude, and the prosecutors had initially sought a five-year sentence for Ms. Yang, indicating the severity of the charges.
The court’s decision highlighted the need to protect public figures from such malicious and financially motivated attacks, emphasizing that the plot was based on a "baseless claim" and caused "significant emotional distress" to the footballer.
The Controversy Over 'The Face' and Identity Exposure
The original search query, "손흥민 협박 녀 얼굴" (Son Heung-min blackmail woman's face), underscores the intense public focus on her identity. During the legal proceedings, Ms. Yang’s face was partially exposed to the media as she was escorted by police, sparking a major human rights and privacy debate in South Korea.
In South Korea, the identity of criminal suspects is often protected unless they are convicted of a particularly heinous crime, and even then, the public release of a mugshot is rare. The controversy centered on:
- Partial Reveal: Media outlets published photos where Ms. Yang’s face was visible, despite her attempts to shield it with a document file or police officers attempting to cover her.
- Human Rights Debate: Critics argued that the exposure violated her right to privacy and the principle of presumed innocence, especially since she was only a suspect at the time of some of the photos.
- Public Scrutiny: The partial reveal immediately led to "witch hunts" and "doxxing" attempts online, where incorrect personal information was circulated, further complicating the issue of public interest versus individual privacy.
This case, therefore, became a flashpoint, not just for the crime of extortion against a national hero, but for the ethical boundaries of media coverage and the public's insatiable demand for details—especially the identity—of those involved in high-profile scandals.
The Aftermath for Son Heung-min
For Son Heung-min, a global icon and captain of the South Korean national team, the conclusion of the case allows him to fully focus on his football career. While the incident occurred during his tenure at Tottenham Hotspur, he has since made a high-profile move, now playing for Los Angeles FC (LAFC).
His courage in reporting the crime and testifying in court has been praised, sending a clear message that public figures will not silently tolerate extortion attempts. The successful prosecution serves as a powerful deterrent against similar malicious plots targeting celebrities and athletes in the future.
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