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Report: Pirates' Kang charged with leaving scene of DUI

Justin K. Aller / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang is in hot water yet again, after he was charged with leaving the scene of a DUI accident in Seoul early Friday morning (Korea Standard Time), Jeeho Yoo of Yonhap News reports.

Kang, who was under investigation for an alleged sexual assault of a woman in a Chicago hotel room this past July, reportedly tried to flee the scene after causing an accident and was caught shortly thereafter, according to Sung Min Kim of VICE Sports.

Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports Kang was involved in a two-car accident at 2:48 a.m. on a local road, there were no injuries, and he's since been released from jail.

Kang allegedly had a blood alcohol level of 0.084 percent, according to Yoo, which is over the legal limit of 0.05 percent. He may be subject to a license suspension.

When asked by police who was behind the wheel of the car involved in the accident, Kang told them it wasn't him, but after investigating the vehicle's black box police discovered the 29-year-old was indeed driving, reports Daniel Kim of KBSN.

In a statement released Thursday night, Pirates president Frank Coonelly said the team is aware of the "very serious charges" Kang faces in his native country, and is investigating the matter.

"We are extremely disappointed in Jung Ho and in his decision process during this matter," Coonelly said, according to Adam Berry of MLB.com. "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."

The 29-year-old Kang appeared in 103 games for the Pirates last season, hitting .255/.354/.513 with 21 home runs and 62 RBIs.

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