South Korean major leaguer Kang Jung-ho was questioned by police Tuesday over allegations of fleeing the scene after causing an accident while driving under the influence (DUI) last week.
Kang, an infielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates, appeared at Gangnam Police Station in southern Seoul to undergo questioning for a second time over suspicions he left the scene after crashing into a guardrail on his way to his hotel on Friday.
"I am very sorry to all my fans," he told reporters before entering the police station. "I will fully cooperate with the investigation."
A friend of Kang's in the passenger seat, identified only by his surname Yoo, reported himself to the police as the driver of the vehicle. Police analyzed the black box inside the vehicle and determined that Kang had actually been behind the wheel and called him in for questioning some three hours after the accident.
Police said they will investigate whether Kang had plotted with the friend to make false testimony. His friend previously testified that Kang was not involved in the false report.
The infielder is subject to the "three strikes" law after his latest arrest on charges of driving after drinking alcohol, according to Seoul police.
Kang's blood alcohol content was 0.084 percent, a level triggering the suspension of one's license. The legal limit here is 0.05 percent.
Normally, the penalty is license suspension, but under the three strikes law in effect since July 2001, Kang's license will be revoked in this case.
According to police, Kang had also been arrested for a DUI in August 2009 and May 2011. No personal injuries were reported in either case, though he'd caused property damage in the latter incident.
Kang was playing for the Nexen Heroes in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) when both incidents occurred. (Yonhap)
