Prosecutors have requested prison sentences for two individuals accused of blackmailing Son Heung Min (33, Los Angeles FC). The female suspect continued to deny all charges, while the male accomplice apologized to the national football star.
The final hearing took place on the 27th at the Seoul Central District Court before Judge Lim Jeong Bin of the 20th Criminal Division. Yang (female) was charged with extortion and attempted extortion, and Yong (male) was charged with attempted extortion. Prosecutors sought a five-year prison term for Yang and a two-year term for Yong.
Prosecutors criticized Yang’s actions and stated that she pretended her child was certainly Son’s after failing to obtain money from another man with whom she had sexual relations. They argued that she took advantage of Son’s celebrity status and succeeded in extorting 300 million KRW (approximately 205,220 USD).
Regarding her conspiracy with Yong, prosecutors stated that after spending the 300 million KRW (approximately 205,220 USD), the two attempted to blackmail Son again. They also noted that Yang contacted Son during the course of the crime, which they described as a strategy to appear uninvolved in additional wrongdoing.
Prosecutors accused her of acting as if she were the victim. They stated that although all facts had been revealed, Yang continued to claim that the money she received was only compensation. They argued that she was pretending to be innocent and pretending to be a victim, and they described her claims as convincing but untruthful.
They requested a heavy sentence and stated that the crime was thoroughly planned, the severity was significant, Yang’s moral character was poor, and Son suffered considerable mental distress. They added that Yang continued to deny wrongdoing and did not show remorse.
Prosecutors also explained that Yong threatened the victim 15 times over a period of two months in an effort to obtain money. They stated that he contacted Son, his personal assistant, his father’s academy, media outlets, and advertising companies to apply pressure. They requested a two-year prison sentence for Yong but noted that his crime remained an attempt, he confessed, and he cooperated with the investigation.
Yang’s attorney responded to the repeated use of the term performance and stated that the defense found it troubling. They insisted that the money was not an illicit gain. They argued that it was compensation for the physical and mental suffering that Yang associated with pregnancy and abortion, and they claimed that she was actually a victim of Yong’s separate actions.
Regarding the 300 million KRW (approximately 205,220 USD), the defense stated that Yong and a shaman identified as B took most of it. They also claimed that Yang spent 40 million KRW (approximately 30,000 USD) of her own money in an effort to stop Yong from blackmailing Son again.
In her final statement, Yang continued to deny the charges. She apologized for causing public concern and stated that she never expected any situation involving blackmail. She argued that she had never conspired with Yong and had done everything possible to prevent further harm.
Yang stated that if she had been able to judge people properly, she would not be standing in court. She claimed that she ended up in this position because she trusted the wrong people. She added that she deeply regretted failing to manage those around her.
Yong’s attorney requested leniency, stating that he is reflecting on his actions and has sought forgiveness from the victim. They also explained that his former wife is undergoing cancer treatment and that he is responsible for caring for his children. They requested that the court consider his cooperation with the investigation.
In his own final statement, Yong said he sincerely apologized to Son Heung Min. He stated that he acted after Yang gave him materials and asked him to revise a nondisclosure agreement. He acknowledged that his actions were wrong and apologized again.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 8 at 2 p.m.
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