Former general manager Jang Jung-seok, who demanded money from FA Park Dong-won, severe punishment for disqualification from weapons, former coach Kim Jong-kook, who received bribes, suspended 50 games upon return, coach Bong Jung-geun, a drunk kickboard driver, 40 hours of volunteer work

Dec 03, 2025

Former KIA manager Kim Jong-kook and former general manager Jang Jung-seok are taking steps ahead of the interrogation of suspects before arrest (warrant review) held at the Seoul Central District Court on the 30th. Reporter Huh Sang-wook @sportschosun.com/2024.01.30/

Jang Jung-seok, former head of the KIA Tigers, was given a severe penalty by the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO).

KBO held a reward and punishment committee in the KBO conference room on the 1st and deliberated on former general manager Jang Jung-seok, former manager Kim Jong-kook (former KIA), and coach Bong Jung-geun, who is scheduled to sign a coaching contract with the club.

Former general manager Jang Jung-seok was disqualified from arms, and former general manager Kim Jong-kook was suspended for 50 games and 80 hours of community service activities when returning. Coach Bong Jung-geun was given 40 hours of volunteer work.

Former general manager Jang Jung-seok and former manager Kim Jong-kook reviewed whether they were involved in damage to dignity from the perspective of applying KBO rules, apart from the criminal procedure ruling that they were not guilty of malpractice.

Regarding former general manager Jang Jung-seok, he deliberated on the demand for money during the FA negotiations with his players in 2022 and the receipt of money and valuables from officials from sponsors. The reward and punishment committee imposed sanctions on the disqualification of weapons based on Article 1 of the Supplementary Provisions, judging that such acts caused social controversy due to inappropriate behavior contrary to accountability and work ethics as a general manager and seriously undermined the credibility and fairness of the KBO League.

The Korea-Japan Dream Players Game held at Escon Field, Hokkaido, Japan on the 22nd. Bong Jung-geun is warming up. Hokkaido (Japan) = Photo Sharing Foundation / 2024.07.22/

Former head coach Kim Jong-guk, along with former head Jang Jung-seok, deliberated on the issue of receiving money and valuables from officials of sponsorship companies in 2022. Apart from the court's acknowledgement that the act of receiving money and goods was not in return, such as solicitation of advertising contracts, the committee judged that the act of receiving large amounts of money and goods itself was not in line with social conventional wisdom, the controversy surrounding it expanded, and the trust of the league and the club was undermined. Accordingly, in accordance with Article 151 of the Baseball Code , 50 games of suspension and 80 hours of community service activities were imposed upon return.

Coach Bong Joong-geun deliberated on whether to restrict registration and activities as league officials at the request of the club on the fact of drunk driving (cancellation of licenses) related to electric kickboards in November 2021. The reward and punishment committee assumed that drunk driving was against the norm in itself, but considered that he fell while trying to move an electric kickboard with his feet, not a normal drunk driving, and that he was not a league official at the time and that he had greatly reflected over time. The reward and punishment committee took this into account, but imposed 40 hours of volunteer work under Article 152-2 in consideration of the dignity and responsibilities required of the coach.

Sanctions against former coach Kim Jong-kook and coach Bong Joong-geun will be applied when they return after signing a contract with the KBO League club. It also explained that additional sanctions could be imposed if new acts that were not considered in the sanctions process are confirmed later.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.