Credit: Yonhap News
The trial has begun for a couple accused of trying to extort money from international soccer star Son Heung Min . At the July 17 court hearing at the Seoul Central District Court, the 41-year-old man admitted to all allegations, while the woman partially denied the charges.
The woman is facing charges of extortion and attempted extortion. The man is charged with attempted extortion.
The woman’s defense team denied her involvement in any conspiracy or in the second extortion attempt during the hearing. Regarding the first alleged extortion, they said they would decide their stance after further review.
The woman conspired with a spiritual advisor, referred to as “Shaman C,” to demand 300 million won ($220,000) from Son during the initial threat, according to police. The shaman is expected to be questioned by police next week.
Her legal team noted, “We believe the cases could eventually be consolidated after the police finish their investigation into the shaman. We’ll present our full position at the next hearing.”
She firmly denied any wrongdoing in court. When asked directly by the judge if she admitted to the charges, she replied, “I do not admit them. I will dispute them in court.”
The male defendant fully admitted to the charges and confirmed he worked with the woman in the second extortion attempt. The court announced that while future proceedings for the two will be handled separately, they will be sentenced together.
The case follows an incident in June of last year, when the woman allegedly sent Son an ultrasound image of a fetus and demanded 300 million won, threatening him with a public scandal that could ruin his career if he didn’t pay. She reportedly shared the plan with the spiritual advisor and successfully extorted the money.
She had told another man that she was pregnant and asked him for money. When he did not respond, she allegedly picked Son as a new target.
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The male defendant entered the picture earlier this year. Between March and May, he allegedly attempted to extort an additional 70 million won ($50,000) from Son by threatening to leak information about an abortion. That attempt was unsuccessful.
Prosecutors say the woman supplied materials used in the threat, while the man carried out the actions. Both were arrested in May.
The next public hearing is scheduled for 5 p.m. on August 28. During that session, witnesses close to Son will be questioned, and the woman’s official stance will be re-examined.
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