Reports: Pirates' Kang denied work visa
BRADENTON, Fla. — Korean media outlets on Friday reported Jung Ho Kang's application for a visa that would allow him to leave South Korea and work in the United States has been denied, which jeopardizes his chances of playing for the Pirates this season.
Kang still could gain approval from the U.S. government if his suspended jail sentence for a drunk-driving conviction is reduced via an appeal.
On March 3, Kang, 29, received a eight-month jail term or driving under the influence stemming from an incident Dec. 2 near Seoul. Even though Kang's prison sentence was suspended, it hurts his chances of being approved for a work visa.
Kang has appealed his sentence in hopes of receiving a lighter penalty. A decision on the appeal by Seoul Central District Court could be rendered by the end of April, according to The Korea Times.
Pirates president Frank Coonelly responded through a statement released via email.
“The facts, as we know them, are that Kang still has not been granted permission to travel to the United States under a work visa,” Coonelly said. “We continue to work with Kang and his representatives to present materials and information to appropriate parties in the United States government that we believe establish that Kang should be permitted to travel to the United States under a work visa and we remain hopeful that such a resolution will be reached in the near future.”
During an interview with MLB Network Radio, manager Clint Hurdle declined to speculate about Kang's chances of playing for the Pirates this season.
“I don't know those chances,” Hurdle said. “Your information is about the same as what I've got. We are staying in contact with Jung Ho and in contract with his interpreter. We're focusing on the men we have here. That's the best I can tell you. We'd love to have him back, (but) we don't have him back.
“We're going to adapt, improvise and overcome on this end and continue to pull (and see) if this can come to some type of conclusion that's profitable for both sides down the road with Jung Ho.”
Kang's agent, Alan Nero, did not respond to a request for comment from the Tribune-Review.
This was Kang's third DUI conviction in South Korea. He also was under investigation by Chicago police for an alleged sexual assault incident last June.
Citing a report by Korean television, the Korean news aggregator site Naver Sports said Kang is “suspected of drunk driving” in another country other than Korea or the United States.
“We have no indication that Jung Ho has had a driving incident in a country other than Korea,” Coonelly said.
A former standout in the Korea Baseball Organization, Kang signed a four-year, $11 million contract with the Pirates in January 2015. Because he is under contract, Kang cannot play for another team in South Korea without permission from the Pirates.
The Pirates have placed Kang on the restricted list, which opened a spot on their 40-man roster. The team is not required to pay Kang while he is on the restricted list.
David Freese is slated to start at third base in Kang's absence.
Freese originally was signed on a one-year deal last year. In August, as Kang was being investigated by Chicago police, the Pirates gave Freese a two-year, $11 million extension.
Rob Biertempfel is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at rbiertempfel@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BiertempfelTrib.
