Son Heung-min Wins UEFA Europa League Amid Legal Issues

On May 22, 2025, Son Heung-min (손흥민), the captain of the South Korean national football team and Tottenham Hotspur, achieved a significant milestone in his professional career by lifting the UEFA Europa League trophy after a 1-0 victory against Manchester United in Bilbao, Spain. This win marked the end of a 15-year wait for a major title since he began his professional journey in the Bundesliga in 2010, leading to an emotional celebration with his teammates.

However, on the same day that Son celebrated this long-awaited triumph, the individuals who had previously threatened him with false claims of pregnancy were taken into custody. The Seoul Gangnam Police reported that a woman in her twenties, identified as A, who is known to be Son's ex-girlfriend, and a man in his forties, identified as B, were both sent to the prosecution under charges of extortion.

The case came to light when Son's legal team filed a complaint on May 7. The police arrested the suspects on May 14 and obtained a warrant for their detention on May 17. Investigators focused on gathering evidence, including a search of the hospital visited by A on May 21, where they secured original medical records and ultrasound images to prevent any manipulation of evidence and to clarify paternity issues related to the alleged pregnancy.

Further shocking details emerged, revealing that A had been involved with both Son and another businessman around the same time. After being diagnosed with a 5-6 week pregnancy, she informed both men. A had already decided to terminate the pregnancy and demanded approximately 300 million won from Son, which she received before undergoing the procedure. Subsequently, B, who became A's partner, joined in the extortion by demanding an additional 70 million won under the pretext of a non-disclosure agreement. Son's team, upon reviewing the materials provided by B, realized they could not confirm the child's paternity and decided to file a lawsuit against A.

While Son is clearly a victim in this case, the public exposure of sensitive issues such as pregnancy, abortion, and large financial demands has undoubtedly impacted his image. This unfortunate incident coincided with his return from injury and a crucial final match for his team, adding to the distress of the situation.

Ultimately, Son Heung-min celebrated a long-awaited victory but simultaneously found himself at the center of a complex and deeply personal legal battle, experiencing a stark contrast of joy and hardship on the same day.