San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee detained by immigration agents at LAX Airport, Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s office says
San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee was arrested Wednesday by Customs and Border Protection agents at Los Angeles International Airport.
Lee, 27, born in Japan but of South Korean descent, was arrested for “forgetting documents in Korea,” according to the office of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
“Our office is actively working with the Giants organization, our congressional partners and federal liaisons to resolve this situation and secure the expedited release of Mr. Lee,” a statement from Pelosi’s office said.
CBS LA has reached out to CBP and the Department of Homeland Security for a statement on this matter, but has not yet received a response.
A Giants spokesperson said Lee has since been released after experiencing “a brief travel issue at LAX due to a paperwork issue.”
“The matter was quickly clarified with the relevant authorities and he has since been allowed to continue his journey,” the team spokesperson said. “We appreciate the professionalism of all parties involved.”
Lee signed with the Giants ahead of the 2024 Major League Baseball season. His six-year contract worth $113 million, the highest ever for a Korean-born player, ended his seven-year tenure in the KBO League, South Korea’s premier baseball organization. During this time, which he spent with the Kiwoom Heroes, Lee won Rookie of the Year, 2022 MVP, five Golden Glove Awards and was named to six KBO All-Star games.
He also has represented South Korea in several international baseball tournaments, including the 2020 Summer Olympics and the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He is expected to represent his home country again for the upcoming 2026 WBC.
The Giants are scheduled to begin spring training for the 2026 season in February in Scottsdale, Arizona. San Francisco is also scheduled to kick off the regular season on March 25 with the first regular season game of the year when they host the New York Yankees at Oracle Park.
In 187 league games, Lee hit .265 with 10 home runs, 63 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.
