SEOUL — Pittsburgh Pirates’ Jung Ho Kang received a suspended prison sentence Friday in South Korea in connection with a DUI accident in Seoul, late last year, according to a report from
, South Korea's largest news agency.
, the ruling clears the path for Kang to travel to the United States and join the Pirates in spring training that’s already underway. The Pirates no the had no immediate comment following the ruling.
[ Yonhap ]
reported that the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Kang to eight months in prison, which will be suspended for two years. In other words, if Kang keeps his record clean for two years, he will not have to serve any jail time.
According to
[ Yonhap ]
Police said Kang’s December arrest was his third for DUI, leading to the revocation of his driver’s license in South Korea.
[ Yonhap ]
reported that he was previously charged with DUI in August 2009 and May 2011, both when he was playing for the Nexen Heroes in the Korea Baseball Organization.
Pirates President Frank Coonelly released this statement: