By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
Suspended outfielder Jung Soo-keun has decided to quit baseball.
The 32-year-old announced his retirement through the players' association on Tuesday.
"After the incident on Aug. 31, I have thought a lot and reflected on it,'' Jung said in a letter.
"I have found out how I have lost the trust of people and it would be futile to try to regain it again. I think I will not be able to play baseball, which has been my whole life.''
The repeated troublemaker was allegedly involved in a drunken rampage in Busan last month. He was said to be intoxicated, half naked and swearing at a bar worker, but was not arrested.
The Lotte Giants, fed up with his repeated incidents away from the field, released him on Sept. 2 and the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) handed down an indefinite suspension the next day.
He was banned indefinitely after being arrested for attacking an apartment janitor and police officer while drunk in Busan in July last year, but the KBO reinstated him on June 12 this year.
However, the KBO had not ruled out reconsidering his current ban, as Jang had strongly denied the reports about his behavior.
"Going through this thing, I have felt like a criminal waiting for an execution. Even though it is painful, everything is my fault.'' he said.
"I really appreciate all the support from fans and will keep it in mind in my life.''
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 1493 hits, 866 runs and 474 stolen bases.