San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee was temporarily detained by Customs and Border Protection agents at Los Angeles International Airport on January 21, 2026, after forgetting his travel documents in South Korea. The issue was quickly resolved, allowing him to continue his journey for an upcoming team fan event. Officials confirmed the detention was not political and involved no contraband.
Jung Hoo Lee, a 27-year-old outfielder for the San Francisco Giants, encountered a brief detention upon arriving at Los Angeles International Airport from South Korea on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. According to the Giants' statement, Lee experienced a paperwork issue that was promptly clarified with authorities, enabling his release later that evening.
The team's spokesperson noted: "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."
Lee's agent, Scott Boras, emphasized to media outlets that the incident was "not anything political or anything like that." Giants general manager Zack Minasian similarly assured The Athletic that Lee carried no contraband. One report indicated involvement from Representative Nancy Pelosi's office, which stated it was working with the team and federal partners to resolve the situation expeditiously. Pelosi's office attributed the detention to Lee forgetting his documents in South Korea.
Lee, born in Nagoya, Japan, to Korean parents and a former star in the Korea Baseball Organization, signed a six-year, $113 million contract with the Giants in December 2023. Entering his third season with the team in 2026, he batted .266 with 51 extra-base hits over 150 games in 2025, as the Giants finished 81-81 and missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year.
Lee was en route to the Giants' FanFest in San Ramon on Saturday, January 24, 2026, ahead of spring training in Scottsdale, Arizona, in early February. He is also slated to represent Korea in the World Baseball Classic.
