South Korean police arrested two individuals in Seoul suspected of attempting to blackmail Tottenham Hotspur and national team captain Son Heung-Min, one of Asia’s most prominent footballers. The arrests mark a significant development in a case that has raised concerns about privacy and security for high-profile athletes in South Korea.
The suspects, a 32-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman, allegedly contacted Son’s management in April 2025, demanding 300 million won ($220,000) to suppress the release of compromising material, claimed to be a fabricated video implicating Son in a scandal. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s cybercrime unit traced the suspects through encrypted messaging apps, uncovering a scheme to exploit Son’s global fame, with 7 million Instagram followers and a $70 million market value. The suspects, unemployed with no prior criminal records, face charges of extortion and defamation, carrying up to seven years in prison.
Son, 32, reported the threat immediately, cooperating with authorities while maintaining his focus on Tottenham’s Premier League campaign, where he has scored 8 goals in 12 matches this season. The incident follows a tumultuous 2024 for Son, including a public dispute with teammate Yves Bissouma over a social media post and a finger injury during South Korea’s Asian Cup campaign. South Korea’s 51% internet penetration and 90% smartphone adoption rate amplify the risks of cybercrimes, with 15,000 extortion cases reported in 2024, a 20% rise from 2023.
The police have seized digital devices and are investigating potential accomplices, as the suspects claimed ties to a broader hacking network. South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Act, imposing fines up to 50 million won for data breaches, underscores the case’s legal weight. Son’s management has enhanced his security, including private detail in London, where 70% of Premier League players employ such measures. The case highlights the vulnerabilities of athletes in the digital age, with South Korea’s sports ministry pledging stricter cybercrime laws by 2026 to protect its 1.2 million registered athletes.