Alleged blackmailers of Tottenham's Son Heung-min appear in court

Two suspects accused of attempting to extort money from Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min appeared in court on Saturday for a detention warrant hearing.

Two suspects accused of attempting to extort money from Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min appeared in court on May 17 for a detention warrant hearing. [NEWS1]

Two suspects accused of attempting to extort money from Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min appeared in court on Saturday for a hearing to review an arrest warrant request.

On Saturday, prosecutors charged Yang, a woman in her 20s, with blackmail, and Yong, a man in his 40s, with attempted blackmail. The Seoul Central District Court presided over their hearing.

Yang, who arrived at the courthouse at 1:44 p.m. wearing a tracksuit and with her hands bound, did not respond to reporters’ questions about whether she admitted to the charges or still claimed to be pregnant with Son’s child.

Yong, dressed in a black tracksuit and wearing a cap pulled low over his face, also remained silent when asked by reporters why he allegedly demanded an additional 70 million won ($51,500) and whether the two had conspired in the blackmail attempt.

Yang, identified as Son’s former girlfriend, is accused of threatening to reveal her alleged pregnancy by sending Son an ultrasound image in June last year, and extorting more than 300 million won ($221,000) from him. The timing of the alleged pregnancy, as claimed by Yang, reportedly differs from Son’s account, according to JoongAng Ilbo

Yong is accused of approaching Son’s side in March this year and attempting to secure an additional 70 million won, but ultimately failed. He is believed to have learned of the blackmail only after beginning a relationship with Yang.

Seoul Gangnam Police Precinct aunched an investigation after receiving a complaint from Son’s agency on May 7. On Wednesday, officers apprehended the two suspects, searched their residences and seized mobile phone records and other evidence.

Police requested arrest warrants for both suspects on Thursday, and the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office formally requested the warrants the following day.

A decision on whether the suspects will be formally arrested is expected as early as late Saturday.

Translated from the JoongAng Ilbo using generative AI and edited by Korea JoongAng Daily staff. BY LEE JI-YOUNG [cho.yongjun1@joongang.co.kr]