Tottenham Hotspur star Son joins BTS and Blackpink stars in making South Korean wildfire donation

Tottenham Hotspur and South Korea captain Son Heung-min has donated 10 million South Korean won to help battle the wildfires in his home country.

The 32-year-old, who has just returned to London having spent the international break with the South Korean football team, has made the contribution via his NOS 7 clothing brand. The sum of 10 million South Korean won is equivalent to approximately £5,226.

AP have labelled the blaze as ‘the country’s worst-ever wildfires’ which have killed 28 people and forced more than 37,800 people to flee their homes. The wildfires have spread across the south east area of the country since last Friday with thousands of people working to extinguish the flames.

Son Heung-min makes South Korea wildfire donation via NOS 7

Rain had been forecast for Thursday and expected to provide some relief but with less than 5 mm forecast, the precipitation is not expected to provide much respite from the fire. The AP report claims that ‘human error’ is suspected to be the cause of the wildfire, which has burned 38,665 hectares (95,543 acres) of land.

Korean football expert Joel Kim shared news of Son’s donation through NOS 7 on social media platform X. The Tottenham Hotspur star launched his clothing brand in 2022 with the acronym standing for ‘No Ordinary Sunday’. The number seven in the title is inspired by the digit worn by the football player on the back of his shirt.

Son becomes the latest high profile star to make a donation to the wildfire fighting fund. BTS singer Jungkook, Blackpink star Jennie and members of the group NCT Dream have also contributed to the relief.

It’s not the first time Son has sent money back to South Korea after a natural disaster. In 2019, the player donated £100,000 after thousands of people were evacuated from his home region of Gangwon following wildfires.

An estimated 135 homes were destroyed by that blaze and, speaking at the time, Son said: "It's nothing compared to what the victims have sacrificed. Although I'm living abroad, I know what's happening in my home country.

“I think it's something I should do when there's a big disaster in my home country. I believe money does not matter. The most important thing is a mind to do something for the victims."

South Korea draw against Jordan and Oman over international break

Son played 90 minutes in South Korea’s 1-1 draw with Jordan on Tuesday, which took place at the Suwon World Cup Stadium in Suwon. Hong Myung-bo’s side also drew 1-1 with Oman over the break with that fixture taking place at the Goyang Stadium stadium in Goyang city.

South Korea had the chance to book early qualification for the 2026 World Cup in those matches but two draws was not enough to do so. South Korea still sit top of Group B by three points but will need to confirm their place at the World Cup when facing Iraq and Kuwait in June. The nation simply needs to avoid defeat to Iraq in Basra on June 5 to make it to the tournament next year.

Son said this week: "Despite this disappointment, we're still leading our group and that's a fact. We want to stay there until the end of the round. For our young players, it can be an honour to play for the country but it can also put a lot of pressure on them.

"I told them if we just keep working at it, we will finish in first place. I think the most important thing for these young guys is not to lose their confidence."

In other news, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea have learnt of a £70m asking price but their transfer target supports Arsenal.