Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang was charged with leaving the scene of a DUI accident in Seoul, South Korea, according to a report from the Korean Yonhap News Agency.
The accident took place early this morning. According to Gangnam Police Station in southern Seoul, Kang was booked for fleeing the scene after crashing into a guardrail on his way to his hotel in Samseong-dong at 2:48 a.m. (Korean Standard Time), Yonhap News Agency reported.
A person in the passenger seat, whose identity was withheld, reported to police that he or she was the driver of the vehicle. After analyzing the car's black box, police determined that Kang had been at the wheel and called him in for questioning.
Kang had a blood alcohol level of 0.084, according to the report, above the Korean legal limit of 0.05, according to the police.
Police said Kang admitted to the charges.
This is Kang’s second legal issue this year. Chicago police investigated Kang on allegations that he sexually assaulted a 23-year-old woman in June, when the Pirates were in town to play the Cubs. Police said the woman met Kang through a dating app and came to the team hotel. Kang offered her a drink, she told police, and she slipped in and out of consciousness while Kang assaulted her.
As of September, the police had follow-up questions for the alleged victim but were having trouble contacting her.
The Pirates released a statement through team president Frank Coonelly, who was charged with four DUI-related infractions stemming from a December 2011 incident.
“We have been made aware of the very serious charges filed against Jung Ho Kang early Friday morning in Seoul, South Korea,” Coonelly said in the statement. “We are extremely disappointed in Jung Ho and in his decision process during this matter. I know first hand how foolish and dangerous it is to drive under the influence and am most thankful that, as we understand it, no one was injured. We will have further comment once we have been able to gather all of the relevant facts and speak with the player.”
Through his Seoul-based management company, Leeco Sports Agency, Kang issued an apology for his "irrevocable mistake."
"I'd like to apologize to everyone who is disappointed with me," Kang said. "Today, I got behind the wheel after drinking, and committed an irrevocable mistake. I panicked at the moment of the accident and did something that I never should have done."
Kang also extended his apology to the Pirates ball club and his teammates.
"I am deeply regretting the incident," he went on. "I will humbly accept whatever punishment is deemed fit for my actions."
The Pirates signed Kang, 29, to a four-year contract worth $11 million with an option for 2019 prior to the 2015 season. He spent the previous nine seasons playing professionally in Korea.
First Published: December 2, 2016, 12:17 a.m.
