SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee was briefly detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday. The incident was reportedly due to missing travel documents. Lee, 27, who was born in Japan and is of South Korean descent, faced a brief hold after arriving at LAX. The office of former House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi confirmed the situation, saying Lee had “forgotten documents in Korea.”
“Our office is actively working with the Giants organization, our Congressional partners, and federal liaisons to resolve this situation and secure Mr. Lee’s release expeditiously,” a statement from Pelosi’s office said.
CBP and the Department of Homeland Security have yet to issue a comment about the incident as of Wednesday evening.
A spokesperson for the Giants confirmed that Lee was released after a short detainment. “He experienced a brief travel issue at LAX due to a paperwork issue,” the spokesperson said. “The matter was quickly clarified with the appropriate authorities, and he has since been cleared to continue his travel. We appreciate the professionalism of all parties involved.”
Lee signed with the Giants before the 2024 Major League Baseball season. His six-year, $113 million contract made him the highest-paid Korean-born position player in MLB history. The deal ended his seven-year career with the KBO League, South Korea’s top professional baseball league, where he played for the Kiwoom Heroes.
During his time in the KBO, Lee earned multiple accolades, including Rookie of the Year, 2022 MVP, five Golden Glove Awards, and six All-Star selections. He also represented South Korea in major international competitions, including the 2020 Summer Olympics and the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Lee is expected to play for South Korea again at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Since joining the Giants, Lee has played 187 major league games. He has recorded a .265 batting average with 10 home runs, 63 runs batted in, and 12 stolen bases. Lee has quickly become an important player for San Francisco, known for his strong defensive skills and consistent offensive contributions.
The Giants are scheduled to begin Spring Training for the 2026 season in February in Scottsdale, Arizona. The team will open the regular season on March 25 against the New York Yankees at Oracle Park. Lee is expected to be a key player as the Giants aim for a strong start to the season.
