San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee, 27, was released by federal agents after being detained at Los Angeles International Airport Wednesday.
Lee was traveling from South Korea to California to take part in a scheduled appearance at the Giants’ FanFest in San Ramon on Saturday.
Advertisement
When he landed at LAX, he was detained by Customs and Border Protection after forgetting paperwork that was required to go through customs, ESPN reported.
The incident prompted Representative Nancy Pelosi to intervene. In a statement to The Independent, the former House speaker said, “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.”
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – APRIL 05: Jung Ho Lee #51 of the San Francisco Giants takes batting practice prior to the game between the San Diego Padres and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Friday, April 5, 2024 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Loren Elliott/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
After clearing up the situation, Lee’s agent, Scott Boras, told the San Francisco Chronicle that Lee had been released. Boras also told the outlet that the incident was “not anything political or anything like that.”
Advertisement
In a statement, a Giants spokesperson said, “Earlier today, Jung Hoo Lee experienced a brief travel issue at LAX due to a paperwork issue. 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.”
In December 2023, Lee signed a six-year, $113 million contract with the Giants, ESPN reported. He made his debut in March 2024 and quickly became a fan-favorite.
The Giants will begin spring training in Scottsdale, Arizona, in early February.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.