Headlines

  • Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal
  • Kelvin Herrera Announces Retirement
  • Braves Extend Brian Snitker
  • Yankees Sign Justin Wilson
  • Braves Sign Jake Lamb
  • Athletics Sign Mitch Moreland
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Indians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • Last 100 Comments
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Jung Ho Kang Arrested, Charged With Leaving Scene Of DUI Accident In South Korea

By Steve Adams | December 1, 2016 at 8:50pm CDT

Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang was arrested in South Korea today after a car crash that reportedly occurred under the influence of alcohol, according to Jee-ho Yoo of Korea’s Yonhap News Agency. Yoo cites Gangnam Police Station in Seoul in reporting that Kang “was booked for fleeing the scene after crashing into a guard rail on his way to his hotel,” further adding that an unnamed passenger in the car first attempted to take responsibility by claiming that he or she was the driver. Korean police, however, investigated the car’s black box and found Kang to be the driver, at which point he was called in for questioning.

Kang’s blood-alcohol content was 0.084, per the Yonhap report, just over the American legal limit but more noticeably north of South Korea’s legal limit of 0.05. According to Yoo, Kang admitted to the charges upon being questioned. Pirates president Frank Coonelly offered the following statement on the matter, via press release:

“We have been made aware of the very serious charges filed against Jung Ho Kang early Friday morning in Seoul, South Korea. 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.” (For those wondering about Coonelly’s quote, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review tweets that Coonelly was charged with a DUI back in Dec. 2011 and was ordered by a judge to enter a first-time offender program.)

The news itself is troubling on its own, but concerns stemming from this incident are magnified by the fact that this isn’t the first instance of legal trouble for Kang this year. The 29-year-old was accused of sexual assault by a Chicago woman back in early July, and the investigation was still ongoing as of a September update from Andrew Goldstein of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. No charges have been brought forth against Kang in connection with that case, and Goldstein noted in his report that the alleged victim was not cooperating with police investigators. There’s been no resolution reported in that case.

Kang signed a four-year, $11MM contract to join the Pirates on the heels of a massive 2014 season in the Korea Baseball Organization. He’s owed $2.75MM in 2017 and $3MM in 2018, and the Pirates hold a $5.5MM club option with a $250K buyout over Kang for the 2019 campaign.

Share 0 Retweet 25 Send via email0

Jung-ho Kang Pittsburgh Pirates

Angels Acquire Brooks Pounders From Royals
Main
NL East Notes: Mets, Volquez, Hammel, Marlins, Nationals
64 comments
newest oldest

Comments

  1. Gunnerson

    4 years ago

    cars have black boxes now ?

    Like
    Reply
    • GeauxRangers

      4 years ago

      That’s what I was wondering

      Like
      Reply
    • RytheStunner

      4 years ago

      I just Googled it and apparently it does, and it’s not even really a new technology either.

      Like
      Reply
    • chiburgh

      4 years ago

      usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/komando/2014/12/…

      I didn’t know either

      Like
      Reply
    • claylim

      4 years ago

      Actually, most of the cars in Korea have black boxes.

      Like
      Reply
  2. pex5

    4 years ago

    king kang, jeez ima not ever buying a kia if those black boxes are that sensitive.

    Like
    Reply
  3. em650r

    4 years ago

    Two words on this guy

    Troublemaker

    Like
    Reply
    • Cam

      4 years ago

      Two words eh?

      Like
      Reply
    • wiggysf

      4 years ago

      That’s one word

      Like
      Reply
    • Shills26

      4 years ago

      That’s one

      Like
      Reply
    • Shills26

      4 years ago

      That’s only one

      Like
      Reply
    • 24TheKid

      4 years ago

      Isn’t this his 2nd run major offense, or was the thing he was charged with earlier dismissed?

      Like
      Reply
      • RytheStunner

        4 years ago

        He wasn’t charged the first time, but I would at least still call it an offense.

        Like
        Reply
    • cutch22

      4 years ago

      The guys a ROCK STAR in Korea and with the WBC classic coming up—-it’s a flash in the pan headline…..

      Like
      Reply
    • Ricky

      4 years ago

      Two words. A-hole.

      Like
      Reply
      • npalley98

        4 years ago

        Still one word

        Like
        Reply
        • Rounding3rd

          4 years ago

          A-hole Troublemaker? That’s two words. lol

          Like
          Reply
    • neurogame

      4 years ago

      16 words:
      Meow, Meow, Meow, Meow, Meow, Meow, Meow, Meow, Meow, Meow, Meow, Meow, Meow, Meow, Meow, Meow,

      – Homer

      Like
      Reply
  4. Cam

    4 years ago

    Jung Ho being a bit too gung ho.

    He’s a bit of an idiot, really.

    Like
    Reply
  5. hooperman17771

    4 years ago

    very random question not related – why was jake arrieta not a super 2 player but mike minor was? anyone know?

    Like
    Reply
    • RunDMC

      4 years ago

      Segues are for more than transporting mall cops…

      Like
      Reply
    • Reflect

      4 years ago

      Because super 2 is based on service time, and arrieta used to suck on a team that had other options (or at least, they thought they had other options)

      Like
      Reply
  6. JFactor

    4 years ago

    Not good

    Like
    Reply
  7. forwhomjoshbelltolls

    4 years ago

    Can they use this as an excuse to terminate his contract or are MLB deals iron clad no matter what you do?

    Freese signing looking prescient.

    I still like the idea of sending a mediocre prospect to the Mets for Jay Bruce. They can figure out who is worse at 1B, him or Josh Bell and use the other guy in RF.

    Like
    Reply
    • rxbrgr

      4 years ago

      I’d prefer they find out who’s worse in right and then stick that guy at first.

      Like
      Reply
      • forwhomjoshbelltolls

        4 years ago

        No matter where they stuck Bruce….Pirates need a new clean up hitter, it seems.

        Lefty bat that knows the NL Central and hits 25-30 HR a year. They could (and likely will) do worse.

        Like
        Reply
    • davidcoonce74

      4 years ago

      There is a morals clause in standard contracts – the Rockies tried to use it when Denny Neagle got caught with a prostitute – but it’s pretty hard to wiggle out of them. As we’ve seen with Chapman, Reyes, kang, victims don’t testify and charges are dropped.

      Like
      Reply
  8. HarveyD82

    4 years ago

    well it was nice in Pittsburgh while it lasted jung ho….

    Like
    Reply
  9. Elsir

    4 years ago

    The tattoo of himself on his leg, paired with his legal troubles make me believe he has a pretty massive ego.

    Like
    Reply
    • jimttu

      4 years ago

      Lol

      Like
      Reply
  10. Just Another Fan

    4 years ago

    He’s a good player but seemingly a nightmarish human being off the field.

    Like
    Reply
    • ottomatic

      4 years ago

      Potentially a pattern forming yes

      Like
      Reply
  11. TJECK109

    4 years ago

    He needs to go. If you have no regard for the law no matter what country then as far as I’m concerned you are putting yourself ahead of your team. Bye bye

    Like
    Reply
  12. bernbabybern

    4 years ago

    Gangnam style?

    Couldn’t resist…

    Like
    Reply
  13. upsidedowncake

    4 years ago

    Well, it is South Korea. If you go out drinking, really the only rule (if you’re a guy) is that you have to keep up with whoever chooses to drink the most.

    And virtually all of the newer cars do have rearview cameras, frontal cameras, and black boxes. Not that the people are necessarily bad drivers, but when it’s appropriate to park on sidewalks, park in the driving lane that is closest to the sidewalk on almost every street, and turn all the nice wide streets into one-lane obstacle courses (all the while driving along to a soundtrack of incessant honking), almost everybody needs a black box, because almost everybody has been part of an accident.

    But it does sound like it all adds up to a bit of an egomaniac. Lying to the cops when there’s a black box in the car? Come on. But who can blame him? He’s rich, he’s korean, he’s famous, and he’s NOT a pop music singer. That’s rare.

    Like
    Reply
    • ScottCarriere

      4 years ago

      If you’re rich why don’t you have someone shuttle you around all night and not worry or risk anyone’s lives? I feel like the upper class should get a stiffer penalty for dui’s. I wouldn’t drive at all if I could afford a chauffeur.

      Like
      Reply
      • lyle

        4 years ago

        Can’t afford a bus pass?

        Like
        Reply
    • samlumalo

      4 years ago

      Wait so you’re saying if I’m rich Korean guy who plays baseball in the majors, i could drink and drive like an idiot and drive under the influence. You my friend is piece of sh*t.

      Like
      Reply
  14. TheWestCoastRyan

    4 years ago

    So I guess this is doing it Gangnam Style?
    In all seriousness, if the league wants to do what’s right Kang will never play in MLB again.

    Like
    Reply
    • trkatl77

      4 years ago

      Seems a little drastic there.

      Like
      Reply
      • TheWestCoastRyan

        4 years ago

        Not at all. Scumbags like Kang who make the DECISION to drive drunk don’t belong in MLB.

        Like
        Reply
        • dtcarroll1992

          4 years ago

          all hail the mighty TheWestCoastRyan ! His holiness is unmatched!

          Like
          Reply
        • buccosfan

          4 years ago

          Im not condoning his actions by any means, but to put it in perspective a .08 blood alcohol level is the equivalent of less than ONE high alcohol content microbrew (11% or higher or one shot of hard liquor) per hour. So its entirely plausible he had just two beers and drove.

          Like
          Reply
        • TheWestCoastRyan

          4 years ago

          The fact that you are defending a guy who drove drunk tells me all I need to know about you. You’re just as bad.

          Like
          Reply
        • TheWestCoastRyan

          4 years ago

          Clearly he was impaired if he’s crashing into guard rails. Let’s just be happy no one was killed by this idiot.

          Like
          Reply
        • npalley98

          4 years ago

          Lol and people think gung has a big ego. Compared to yours kung has the ego of a preist. Dont act like you havent done anything stupid like driving “drunk” he was .084 which in most countries is only .004 above the legal limit.

          Like
          Reply
        • buccosfan

          4 years ago

          Im not defending anyone, simply trying to provide a less egregious context for the situation relative to your original post that began with a racist epithet and ended with a condemnation of expulsion from playing in the league altogether.

          Like
          Reply
        • jonnyblah

          4 years ago

          In my experience, those that make statements like these are doomed to become the very thing they derided.

          Like
          Reply
        • jleve618

          4 years ago

          .02 is the standard equivalent of a shot or a light beer.

          Like
          Reply
        • jleve618

          4 years ago

          Stop worrying about drunk drivers and start worrying about your family members dieing of high cholesterol. Way more likely killer.

          Like
          Reply
        • cy25

          4 years ago

          The US/England/Canada legal limit of .08 is among the highest in the world. Most places it’s .05 or lower.

          Like
          Reply
        • 24TheKid

          4 years ago

          Stop worrying about drunk drivers??? Just think about this, I’m 14 and so is my friend, a few years ago his parents were killed by a drunk driver so yeah I think we should worry about drunk drivers that are killing the parents of young children and it’s also extremely hard for the children of the killers because they have to live with it. So before you say don’t worry about drunk drivers again think about what your saying.

          Like
          Reply
    • stymeedone

      4 years ago

      US Immigration may have something to say about whether he is welcome, with criminal charges on his record, should that occur.

      Like
      Reply
  15. Deke

    4 years ago

    Here’s the thing. If this guy wasn’t a baseball player and say he was applying for an ordinary work visa in the US he would be denied based on the DUI. You can’t get into Canada if you’re an average Joe and have a DUI. How would he play games in Toronto (if there was a game) without an exemption?
    Why the hell is it different for baseball players or people in the entertainment industry? Double standards for the rich and famous.

    Like
    Reply
    • davidcoonce74

      4 years ago

      That is interesting. Miguel Cabrera has a DUI. Tony Larussa does as well. St. Louis probably didn’t travel to Toronto often, but Detroit plays a couple series there every year. I wonder how they work around that? I’ve never heard of anyone with a DUI getting into Canada. They take it really seriously.

      Like
      Reply
  16. Reflect

    4 years ago

    Give the guy a chance. He didn’t even rape anyone this time.

    Like
    Reply
    • 24TheKid

      4 years ago

      Well I guess he’s taking very small steps towards being a decent person.

      Like
      Reply
  17. cgallant

    4 years ago

    Ohhhh. So that’s where Gangnam Style came from…

    Like
    Reply
    • 24TheKid

      4 years ago

      I’m just warning you know, a bunch of people are going to call you racist.

      Like
      Reply
      • stymeedone

        4 years ago

        It’s just Lockeroom Talk.

        Like
        Reply
        • 24TheKid

          4 years ago

          I never said I thought it was racist.

          Like
          Reply
  18. julyn82001

    4 years ago

    The general thought is that black boxes are mostly used on air planes and such… Weird…

    Like
    Reply
  19. arcadia Ldogg

    4 years ago

    He was driving GANGNAM STYLE!

    Like
    Reply
  20. Darth Alru

    4 years ago

    This limit of 0.05 is rediculous. You can drink a glass of milk and eat some fruits, like orange and banana, and have more than 0.05 in your blood.

    Like
    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal

    Kelvin Herrera Announces Retirement

    Braves Extend Brian Snitker

    Yankees Sign Justin Wilson

    Braves Sign Jake Lamb

    Athletics Sign Mitch Moreland

    Yankees Re-Sign Brett Gardner

    Giants To Sign Jake McGee

    Mariners CEO Kevin Mather Resigns

    Athletics Sign Trevor Rosenthal

    Recent

    Quick Hits: Pujols, Blue Jays, Kennedy, Santana

    Royals, Hunter Dozier In “Serious” Extension Negotiations

    Minor MLB Transactions: 2/27/21

    MLBTR Chat Transcript

    Astros Claim Robel Garcia

    Red Sox Acquire Zach Bryant From Cubs

    Quick Hits: Yankees, Cardinals, Diamondbacks

    MLBTR Poll: Forecasting The Yankees Rotation

    COVID Notes: Carlos Carrasco, Kevin Plawecki

    Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Kris Bryant Rumors
    • Jackie Bradley Jr. Rumors
    • Jake Odorizzi Rumors
    • Taijuan Walker Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Indians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version