Jung Soo-keun

2.1. Birth and Family

Jung Soo-Keun was born on January 20, 1977, in Seoul, South Korea. He has a younger brother, Jung Soo-sung, who also pursued a career in professional baseball. Jung Soo-sung is currently serving as the second-team base running coach for the kt Wiz.

2.2. Education

Jung Soo-Keun completed his early education in South Korea, attending Seongdong Elementary School from 1983 to 1989. He then proceeded to Konkuk University Middle School from 1989 to 1992, followed by Deoksu High School (formerly known as Deoksu Commercial High School) from 1992 to 1995.

3.1. Debut and OB/Doosan Bears Years

Jung Soo-Keun made his professional debut in the KBO League on April 2, 1995, with the OB Bears. He played for the OB Bears, which were later renamed the Doosan Bears, from 1995 until 2003. During his tenure with the team, he established himself as a key player known for his speed and aggressive style. He was part of the OB Bears team that won the Korean Series championship in 1995 and the Doosan Bears team that won it again in 2001.

3.2. Stolen Base Prowess and Records

Jung Soo-Keun was renowned for his exceptional speed and base-stealing ability throughout his career. He won four consecutive stolen base titles in the KBO League from 1998 to 2001. Over his entire career, he accumulated 474 stolen bases, which ranks him 4th all-time in the KBO, behind Jeon Jun-Ho, Lee Jong-Beom, and Lee Dae-hyung. He notably achieved a solo home steal on May 5, 1998, during a game against the LG Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium, marking the 18th such instance in KBO history. He was also the youngest player in KBO history to reach several stolen base milestones, including 200 stolen bases (June 28, 1998), 250 stolen bases (July 16, 2000), 300 stolen bases (June 16, 2001), and 450 stolen bases (April 15, 2008).

3.3. Major Awards and Achievements

Jung Soo-Keun received several significant accolades during his career, recognizing his outstanding performance and contributions to his teams. He was a two-time winner of the KBO Golden Glove Award as an outfielder in 1999 and 2001. He was also selected as the KBO All-Star Game MVP twice, in 2004 and 2007. His team accomplishments include winning two Korean Series championships, first with the OB Bears in 1995 and again with the Doosan Bears in 2001.

3.4. International Career

Jung Soo-Keun represented the South Korea national baseball team in international competitions.
In 1999, he was part of the national team that won the gold medal

at the Asian Baseball Championship. During this tournament, he recorded a .235 batting average (4-for-17), with 1 RBI, 4 runs, and 4 stolen bases.
He also participated in the baseball tournament at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, where the South Korean team secured a bronze medal

. In the Olympic tournament, he posted a .273 batting average (6-for-22), with 3 RBIs, 4 runs, and 6 stolen bases.

3.5. Transfer to Lotte Giants

Following the 2003 season, Jung Soo-Keun declared free agency. He subsequently signed a substantial 6-year contract with the Lotte Giants, valued at a maximum of 4.06 B KRW. As part of the compensation for his transfer, the Doosan Bears acquired pitcher Moon Dong-hwan from the Lotte Giants. However, Moon Dong-hwan's tenure with Doosan was brief; he remained with the team for only 11 days and never wore a Doosan uniform before being traded to the Hanwha Eagles in exchange for catcher Chae Sang-byeong.

3.6. Career with Lotte Giants

Jung Soo-Keun played for the Lotte Giants from 2004 until his retirement in 2009. Upon joining the team in 2004, he was appointed team captain. His time with the Lotte Giants was marked by continued on-field performance, but also by increasing off-field controversies that led to significant disciplinary actions.

3.7. Disciplinary Actions and Suspensions

Jung Soo-Keun's professional career was frequently interrupted by disciplinary actions and suspensions stemming from his off-field conduct.
On July 26, 2004, he was arrested in Haeundae-gu, Busan, for assaulting a citizen with a baseball bat. The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) initially imposed a fine of 3.00 M KRW and a 7-game suspension. However, further investigation revealed that he had also been driving his Lexus vehicle under the influence of alcohol at the time, with a blood alcohol level of 0.13%, which resulted in the revocation of his driver's license. Consequently, the KBO escalated his punishment to an indefinite suspension and increased the fine to 5.00 M KRW.
On July 16, 2008, he was arrested again in Busan for allegedly assaulting two security guards and a policeman while heavily intoxicated. This incident led the KBO to declare him "indefinitely disqualified," effectively barring him from playing. The Busan District Court later sentenced him to a fine of 7.00 M KRW on September 23, 2008. After approximately a year, on June 6, 2009, the Lotte Giants requested the KBO to lift his suspension, which was approved by the KBO's disciplinary committee on June 12. He returned to the first-team lineup on August 12, 2009.

3.8. Retirement

Jung Soo-Keun's professional baseball career concluded in 2009 following another public incident. On August 31, 2009, he was involved in an altercation at a karaoke club in Busan. Police were dispatched after receiving reports of him being half-naked, intoxicated, and swearing. Although a subsequent investigation suggested that the initial report might have been exaggerated or false, the Lotte Giants released him on September 1, 2009, due to the controversy. Feeling that the damage to his reputation was irreparable and that continuing to play would be meaningless, Jung Soo-Keun officially announced his retirement from professional baseball on September 15, 2009.

5.1. Assault Incidents

Jung Soo-Keun has been involved in multiple physical altercations that led to legal charges and disciplinary actions.
In February 2003, while participating in the Doosan Bears' spring training camp in Honolulu, Hawaii, he was arrested on charges of battery after allegedly slashing two men in a Korean restaurant.
On July 26, 2004, in Haeundae-gu, Busan, he was arrested for assaulting a man by hitting him with a baseball bat. This incident also involved drunk driving, leading to significant disciplinary actions from the KBO and the revocation of his driver's license.
On July 16, 2008, he was arrested in Busan for allegedly punching two security guards and a policeman while heavily intoxicated. This resulted in him being declared "indefinitely disqualified" by the KBO, and he was later fined 7.00 M KRW by the Busan District Court.
More recently, on December 21, 2023, in Hopyeong-dong, Namyangju, Jung Soo-Keun was charged with special injury for allegedly hitting an acquaintance twice on the head with a beer bottle. This occurred after the acquaintance reportedly refused his offer for a third round of drinks at an entertainment venue.

5.2. Drunk Driving Incidents

Jung Soo-Keun has been arrested multiple times for driving under the influence of alcohol.
His first documented drunk driving incident occurred on July 26, 2004, as part of the assault incident in Busan. At the time, his blood alcohol level was found to be 0.13%, which led to the revocation of his driver's license.
On June 13, 2010, at approximately 4:40 AM, he was involved in a car crash at an intersection in front of the Renaissance Seoul Hotel in Seoul. His BMW collided with another vehicle. A breathalyzer test at the scene revealed a blood alcohol level of 0.126%, leading to his arrest for misdemeanor drunk driving and the revocation of his license.
On September 6, 2024, in Namyangju, he was again apprehended for driving under the influence. His blood alcohol concentration was recorded at 0.064%, resulting in an additional drunk driving charge.

5.3. Other Controversies

Beyond direct assault and drunk driving charges, Jung Soo-Keun has been involved in other public disturbances.
On August 31, 2009, he caused a disturbance at a karaoke club in Busan. Reports to the police indicated he was half-naked, intoxicated, and swearing. Although subsequent reports from the establishment's employees suggested the initial police account might have been exaggerated or false, the Lotte Giants released him the following day due to the controversy, which directly led to his retirement.
In December 2024, prosecutors requested a 3-year prison sentence for Jung Soo-Keun, citing his history of similar offenses. On January 8, 2025, the Uijeongbu District Court, Namyangju Branch, sentenced him to 2 years in prison for the special injury and drunk driving charges related to the 2023 and 2024 incidents.

6.1. Playing Style and Contributions

On the field, Jung Soo-Keun was a highly impactful player, primarily recognized for his exceptional speed and aggressive base-running. His ability to consistently steal bases, leading the league for four consecutive years (1998-2001), made him a formidable offensive weapon and a constant threat to opposing teams. His high on-base percentage further amplified his value as a leadoff hitter. Beyond his statistical achievements, including his ranking as the 4th all-time stolen base leader in the KBO, Jung Soo-Keun was known for his energetic and "fighting" playing style, which endeared him to fans and provided a spark for his teams. His contributions were instrumental in two Korean Series championships for the OB Bears and Doosan Bears, and he earned multiple individual accolades such as the KBO Golden Glove Award and KBO All-Star Game MVP.

6.2. Criticisms and Controversies

Despite his athletic prowess, Jung Soo-Keun's legacy is significantly marred by a recurring pattern of legal troubles and public controversies. His repeated involvement in incidents of assault and drunk driving, both during and after his playing career, led to multiple disciplinary actions from the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), including fines and indefinite suspensions, ultimately culminating in his early retirement. These incidents have drawn widespread criticism, damaging his reputation and raising serious concerns about the conduct expected of professional athletes. His continued legal issues, including recent charges and a prison sentence for assault and drunk driving, have further solidified a critical public perception, highlighting the negative impact that personal misconduct can have on an athlete's career, public image, and the broader perception of sports figures.

7.1. Season-by-Season Statistics

7.2. Milestone Records