South Korean authorities have arrested two individuals on charges of blackmailing Son Heung-min, the captain of Tottenham Hotspur and one of Asia’s most prominent footballers, with false paternity claims, police announced over the weekend.
The suspects, identified as a woman in her 20s and a man in his forties, allegedly attempted to extort money from Son by falsely claiming the woman was pregnant with his child.
According to police and multiple media reports, the woman approached Son in June of the previous year, sending him an ultrasound image and demanding hush money to keep the alleged pregnancy secret.
She is believed to have received approximately $214,000 (about 300 million Korean won) from Son in exchange for her silence.
The man, reportedly an acquaintance of the woman, subsequently contacted Son in March, threatening to publicise the paternity claim unless he was paid an additional $50,000 (about 70 million Korean won).
Unlike the earlier demand, it appears the man did not receive any payment.
Son filed a formal complaint with the Seoul police on May 7, prompting an investigation.
Authorities arrested both suspects on May 15 after securing arrest warrants, citing concerns they might flee. Police have since searched the suspects’ homes and seized electronic devices as part of their ongoing inquiry.
The footballer’s management agency, Son & Football Limited, issued a statement claiming that Son is “clearly the victim in this case” and vowed to pursue “rigorous legal action without leniency” against those responsible for the blackmail attempt.
Son Heung-min, 32, is widely regarded as South Korea’s most successful footballer, serving as captain for both Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League and the South Korean national team.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities review the authenticity of the ultrasound images and gather further evidence.
