gostopsite   Album Posted Jan.29th, 2024, viewed 261 times

The aftermath of Jang Jeong-seok’s ‘kickback’ from a year ago continues Director Kim Jong-kook was also involved.

KIA Tigers coach Kim Jong-kook (left) and former general manager Jang Jeong-seok.

The aftermath of the 'Jang Jeong-seok incident', which shocked the baseball world a year ago by demanding 'kickbacks' from players, is not over. It was revealed that even director Kim Jong-guk was involved in the case of former general manager Jang Jeong-seok.

On the 29th, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office's Major Crime Investigation Department (Chief Prosecutor Lee Il-gyu) announced on the 24th that it had requested arrest warrants for KIA Tigers coach Kim Jong-guk and former general manager Jang Jeong-seok on charges of breach of trust.

Previously, former general manager Jang caused a stir when it was revealed that he had demanded kickbacks during contract negotiations with Park Dong-won (currently LG Twins), who had applied for free agency status.

After signing a free agent contract, he demanded a certain amount of money, which was an unbelievable act of misconduct by the general manager, the head of the front office. Former Director Jang explained the remark by saying, “It was a joking remark,” drawing further criticism.

After the incident came to light, KIA immediately fired former director Jang and began a quick resolution, but this was not the end.

The prosecution identified additional charges while investigating the 'suspicion of demanding kickbacks' case requested by the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) for investigation.

Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.

The charge against Director Kim, breach of trust, refers to 'an act in which a person who handles another person's affairs receives an unfair request in relation to that duty and receives property or property benefits.'

Although the exact details are not known, considering the facts confirmed so far, it can be seen that some of the money that former Director Jang unfairly pocketed went to Director Kim.

The meaning of an investigative agency's request for an arrest warrant is significant. This means that from the prosecution's perspective, there is significant reason to suspect that former Director Jang and Director Kim have committed a crime, and that there is a risk that they may destroy evidence or run away.

In particular, Director Kim is still the director of KIA. KIA is scheduled to leave for Australia for spring training on the 30th, but a laughable situation has arisen in which the head coach is placed at the crossroads of arrest on the same day.

It seems difficult for Director Kim to maintain his position in a situation where the prosecution has even requested an arrest warrant. The investigation has not yet been completed and guilt or innocence has not been confirmed, but it is impossible to entrust the baton to someone who has been brought into the investigation line for an unpleasant matter.

Kim Jong-kook, head coach of KIA Tigers.

Since former Director Jang's investigation, which began in April of last year, has not yet ended, it is unknown how long Director Kim's investigation will continue. From KIA's perspective, it may be a better decision to resign Coach Kim and look for a new coach in order to quickly calm the team atmosphere ahead of the opening season.

Meanwhile, Director Kim and former Director Jang will be interrogated as suspects (substantive warrant review) before arrest at a hearing by Chief Judge Yoo Chang-hoon in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court at 10:30 a.m. on the 30th.

If Coach Kim is arrested, he will be the second current professional baseball manager to be arrested. Previously, in 1983, coach Kim Jin-young, who was leading the Sammi Superstars at the time, was arrested and indicted for assaulting a referee after disobeying a decision during a game. 섯다