The highly anticipated extortion trial involving South Korean football icon Son Heung-min officially commenced on July 17 at the Seoul Central District Court, revealing starkly different stances from the two accused.
Ms. Yang, facing charges of extortion and attempted extortion, denied all allegations during the hearing overseen by Presiding Judge Lim Jeong-bin. Meanwhile, Mr. Yong admitted to all charges of attempted extortion, confessing to conspiring with Yang to blackmail Son for millions.
Yang’s defense team refuted any involvement in the second extortion attempt and stated they would reserve their decision on the first charge pending further examination. Yang herself declared in court, “I do not acknowledge the charges. I will contest them in court.”
Prosecutors claim that Yang extorted ₩300 million (~$215,000 USD) from Son in June 2024, allegedly with the help of a shaman known only as “C,” who is scheduled to testify next week. Yang reportedly sent Son a fetal ultrasound image, falsely claiming he was the father, and demanded payment in exchange for his reputation’s safety.
The plot thickened earlier this year when Yang began a romantic relationship with Yong. Between March and May, Yong is said to have demanded an additional ₩70 million (~$50,300 USD) from Son, threatening to reveal an abortion. Although that attempt failed, both suspects were arrested in May.Due to the diverging pleas, the court has decided to hold separate trials for the defendants, though verdicts will be delivered concurrently. The second hearing is scheduled for August 28 at 5 p.m. KST, with witness testimony from Son’s side and Yang’s final defense expected.
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