gostopsite   Album Posted Jan.29th, 2024, viewed 236 times

A request for an arrest warrant for the current director KIA is already reeling

Prosecutors seek arrest warrants for director Kim Jong-guk and former general manager Jang Jeong- seok, ahead of camp. Another suspicion of bribery following last year

The KIA Tigers are reeling before the season even sets sail. This is because the nightmare that was thought to be over is recurring this year.

On the 29th, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office's Major Crimes Investigation Department (Chief Prosecutor Lee Il-gyu) said, "Former KIA general manager Jang Jeong-seok and KIA manager Kim Jong-guk were investigated on charges of breach of trust and other charges that were additionally confirmed during the investigation of the case by the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). “We requested an arrest warrant on the 24th,” he said.

Prior to this, on the 28th, KIA announced the suspension of coach Kim Jong-guk. The club confirmed that Coach Kim was under investigation by the investigative authorities, and explained that it was judged that he could not normally perform his duties as a coach while the investigation was ongoing.

For KIA, which was scheduled to leave for Canberra, Australia on the 30th to start spring camp, it was a complete surprise.

Spring camp is not so important that it is called ‘half of the year’s farming.’ It is also a time for the coach to complete the season management plan after closely examining the players.

However, KIA has to prepare for the season without being able to completely erase the shock of an unprecedented incident in which a current coach stands at a crossroads for imprisonment. KIA's camp will be held under head coach Jin Gap-yong.

Last year, KIA also became controversial when it was revealed that former general manager Jang Jeong-seok had requested kickbacks during negotiations with Park Dong-won (LG Twins), who was a free agent (FA), ahead of the opening of the season.

KIA immediately held a disciplinary committee and dismissed former director Jang, but the aftermath of the shock did not easily subside. KIA, a disappointment from the start, had to start the season in a turbulent atmosphere.

Last year, KBO reviewed the criminal records and related materials submitted by KIA regarding former director Jang's suspicion of bribery and requested an investigation from the prosecution. Former general manager Jang and manager Kim, for whom arrest warrants have been applied, will undergo a substantive review of the warrants on the 30th.

KIA strengthened its strength by recruiting foreign pitchers from the big leagues this off-season. Foreign pitchers Will Crowe and James Nail, who newly joined KIA, played in the Major League (MLB) until last year.

At a time when expectations for the new season were rising, the current coach scattered ashes. It has also become impossible to avoid criticism for the fact that coaches and general managers, who are supposed to manage and supervise players, are causing damage to the team by causing incidents.

Coach Kim ascended to the KIA command tower ahead of the 2022 season. He led the team to 5th place in 2022, but fell to 6th place last year and was disappointed in fall baseball. The 2024 season is the last season of Coach Kim's contract with KIA.

A KIA official said, “We are continuing to check the situation. “Because the charges have not yet been revealed, we are checking the situation as carefully as possible,” he said. Regarding Director Kim’s future after being suspended from his duties, he said, “I am worried. “It is difficult to talk about his future immediately,” he said, concluding, “The team is trying to keep things as undisturbed as possible.” 고스톱