Woman accused of trying to blackmail Dion’s husband jailed

By Matt Pordum

Wednesday, July 21, 2004 | 9:53 a.m.

A Korean woman accused of trying to blackmail the husband of Celine Dion was ordered jailed without bail Tuesday.

Yun Kyeong Sung, 47, allegedly tried to get Rene Angelil to pay her to prevent her from going to authorities with allegations that Angelil sexually assaulted her.

Sung is charged with extortion, conspiracy to commit extortion, and as a witness soliciting a bribe. Sung is scheduled to stand trial on Oct. 25 with her husband, Ae Ho Kwon, 50, who faces the same charges.

Sung was brought before District Judge Jackie Glass on Tuesday after the Detention and Removal Office of the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement made her deportation imminent as they ordered Sung removed from the country, according to prosecutors.

Sung will remain in custody at Clark County Detention Center while Kwon is out on bail.

Sung and Kwon allege that Angelil raped her at the Imperial Palace in March 2000, allegations that Angelil has repeatedly denied.

Police closed the case against Angelil without filing charges, citing a lack of evidence. The couple settled a civil lawsuit in May 2000 with Angelil for $2 million.

A year later Sung reported the alleged assault to police after another failed attempt to gain money from Angelil.

In the past Angelil has said he settled the case because he didn't want the stress of the false allegations in his life at that time.

Sung is also scheduled to stand trial on Nov. 9 before District Judge Michelle Leavitt. In that case Sung is accused of failing to repay Harrah's Las Vegas casino $500,000 in gambling credit she obtained and spent in May 2001.