Intoxicated ex-baseball star in car accident

By Lee Hyo-sik

Staff reporter

Former baseball star Jung Soo-keun, 33, is in trouble with the law once again, for crashing his car into a taxi in southern Seoul early Sunday while under the influence of alcohol.

The police said the former Lotte Giant outfielder is now in custody after the accident took place near the Renaissance Hotel at around 4:40 a.m. Sunday. A companion riding in his car, as well as the taxi driver and three passengers were treated at a nearby hospital after sustaining severe injuries.

According to the police, his blood-alcohol concentration level measured by a breathalyzer after the accident was 0.125 percent, exceeding the limit of 0.05 percent for driving.

A police officer said Jung was driving while intoxicated and that the former baseball player will be prosecuted in accordance with the traffic accident law.

He quit baseball in September 2009 after the Lotte Giants, fed up with his repeated misdemeanors away from the field, released him and the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) handed down an indefinite suspension for a second time.

A month earlier, Jung was allegedly involved in a drunken rampage in Busan. He was said to be intoxicated, half naked and swearing at bar staff. In July 2008, he was banned indefinitely after being arrested for attacking an apartment janitor and police officer while drunk in Busan, but the KBO reinstated him in June 2009.

Jung made his debut in 1995 with the OB Bears, a forerunner of the Doosan Bears, and joined the Giants, based in Busan, in 2004 via free agency.

With his speed and hustle, Jung established himself as one of the best leadoff hitters and outfielders in the league. Over his career, he batted .280 with 1,493 hits, 866 runs and 474 stolen bases. This year, he has been working as a baseball commentator for MBC ESPN, a cable sports channel.