Police Face Scrutiny Over Human Rights in Son Heung-min Blackmail Suspect’s Public Exposure
South Korean police are facing growing backlash over their handling of a high-profile blackmail case involving Son Heung-min, captain of the national soccer team. The controversy stems not just from the alleged crime, but from the public exposure of one of the suspects—a woman in her 20s, surnamed Yang—during her court appearance, which has sparked a human rights debate online.
On May 18, arrest warrants were issued for Yang and a man surnamed Yong over an alleged blackmail attempt involving Son Heung-min. Yang reportedly received 300 million KRW after threatening to expose a pregnancy and later signed a confidentiality agreement.
However, public attention shifted to Yang’s court appearance, where she was handcuffed and fully visible without a hat, sparking online backlash over perceived police mishandling and lack of suspect privacy protections.
South Korean police protocol, influenced by a 2005 recommendation from the National Human Rights Commission, advises limiting public exposure of suspects unless legally justified. Critics argued that the absence of a hat or shielding efforts for Yang constituted public shaming.
In response, police clarified: “We did not withhold a hat intentionally, nor was there any intent to shame the suspect.” They stated that hats were prepared for both suspects, but only Yong requested one. Yang did not request a hat or other coverage, and her tracksuit was reportedly a change of clothes she selected herself before the hearing.
Yang, previously known to be Son Heung-min’s ex-girlfriend, is accused of initiating the blackmail scheme by sending ultrasound images and pressuring the football star into payment. The investigation has intensified public interest due to Son’s high-profile image and the sensitive nature of the allegations.
