Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee stopped at LAX airport over paperwork issue

San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee was briefly detained at Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday due to what the team described as a “paperwork issue.”

According to multiple reports, Lee was returning to the United States from his home in South Korea when he was arrested due to missing documents.

Jung Hoo Lee of the San Francisco Giants hits a single during the third inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals in St. Louis, Missouri on September 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, file)

His agent, Scott Boras, told Chronicle of San Francisco that the incident was “nothing political or anything like that” and that Lee was released after about an hour once the paperwork issue was resolved.

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“We are working politically, with immigration and the giants to get verifications,” Boras told the outlet before the case was resolved. “I’m not sure what was missing, but it was something with the proper paperwork. I think he just forgot one of the paperwork.”

The Giants released a statement saying Lee “encountered a brief travel issue at LAX due to a paperwork issue.”

General view of the air traffic control tower at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). (Michael Yanow/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

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“The matter was quickly clarified with the relevant authorities and he has since been allowed to continue his journey. We appreciate the professionalism of all parties involved.”

Lee, 27, signed a six-year contract with the Giants in December 2023, but missed most of his rookie season in 2024 after undergoing season-ending surgery for a dislocated shoulder. The deal was reportedly worth $113 million.

Jung Hoo Lee (51) of the San Francisco Giants is pictured before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 23, 2025. (John Fisher/Getty Images)

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He hit .266 with eight home runs and 55 RBIs with 10 stolen bases in 150 games last season, despite the Giants missing the playoffs for the fourth straight season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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