Pirates president unsure if club will discipline Kang for DUI
The Pittsburgh Pirates have yet to decide the next course of action with regards to a possible suspension for infielder Jung Ho Kang after he received a suspended sentence Friday from a Korean court for a DUI charge.
"We look forward to meeting with Jung Ho as soon as he is able to travel to the United States and having a serious discussion with him on this issue and how he has, and will, change those behaviors that led to the very serious punishment that has been levied against him in Korea," Pirates president Frank Coonelly said in a statement. "We will withhold judgement on what club discipline, if any, is appropriate until we have had an opportunity to have that discussion."
A district court sentenced Kang to eight months in prison, though the sentence is suspended two years and he won't serve any jail time should he keep his record clean over that time.
Kang left the scene of a Dec. 2 accident after his car ran into a traffic median in Seoul. Kang's friend originally said he was driving, before it was revealed it was Kang who was driving. The 29-year-old had a blood alcohol level of 0.084.
It was the third time Kang has been arrested for DUI in Korea.
"We will do everything that we can as an organization to assist Jung Ho as he works to change his behavior and grow into the man we know he can be," Coonelly said.
While Kang has avoided prison time for the time being, he could face discipline from both the Pirates and Major League Baseball.