Two individuals have been formally detained in South Korea after attempting to blackmail national football team captain and Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min, with one later accused of demanding money from journalists in exchange for fabricated information.

On Friday, Judge Yoon Won-mook of the Seoul Central District Court issued arrest warrants for a woman in her 20s, identified only as Ms Yang, and a man in his 40s, Mr Yong, citing concerns of evidence tampering and flight risk. Yang faces charges of blackmail, while Yong is charged with attempted blackmail.

Yang, reportedly Son’s former partner, allegedly sent the player a foetal ultrasound image in June 2023 and threatened to reveal a pregnancy unless she was paid. Son, 33, eventually transferred approximately ₩300 million (around £170,000 or €230,000), after which Yang signed a non-disclosure agreement promising not to go public with the claims.

Mr Yong, who was later revealed to have been dating Yang, allegedly became involved after learning of her scheme. In March this year, he approached Son’s camp and attempted to extort an additional ₩70 million (around £40,000 or €52,000), but the effort was unsuccessful.

Following a criminal complaint filed by Son’s representatives on 7 May, Seoul’s Gangnam Police arrested both suspects on 14 May and formally sought their detention the following day. Authorities are now examining the suspects’ phones and other confiscated devices to verify the authenticity of the ultrasound image and related materials.

New revelations emerged on Saturday, indicating that Yong also attempted to profit by offering journalists fabricated “evidence” about Son. On 25 April, he allegedly sent emails to several reporters claiming to have insider information about the footballer and offered to disclose it—if a “reward” was provided.

According to South Korean outlet CBS NoCut News, the email read: “I have proof. The tip-off is real and multi-faceted,” before asking journalists to “indicate the amount of compensation” they were willing to offer.

This development suggests that after failing to blackmail Son directly, Yong sought alternative ways to monetise the situation, attempting to exploit the media’s interest in the high-profile player.

Police sources said that Yang had indeed received a pregnancy diagnosis, but they have not confirmed whether Son was the biological father. Legal experts note, however, that the actual paternity is irrelevant in terms of criminal liability, as the charge of blackmail hinges on the threat and coercion, not the truthfulness of the claim.

Both suspects were escorted to court on Friday for pre-trial hearings. Yang, dressed in athletic clothing and handcuffed, remained silent when asked by reporters whether she still claimed to be pregnant with Son’s child. After the hearing, she denied conspiring with Yong. Yong, meanwhile, simply said, “I’m sorry,” in response to reporters’ questions.

The case has shocked the South Korean public and drawn international attention due to Son Heung-min’s status as a national icon and global football star.