Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang’s arrest last week was his third DUI charge in South Korea since 2009, Seoul police told Yonhap News Agency. Under a “three strikes” law, Kang’s driver’s license will be revoked, and he will not be allowed to be reissued another license for two years.

Kang was arrested early Friday morning after crashing into a guard rail. He fled the scene. His blood alcohol content was 0.084 percent, above the 0.05 legal limit. A friend initially claimed to have been driving, police said, but analysis of the black box in the vehicle showed Kang was the driver.

Kang was previously arrested for DUI in August 2009 and May 2011, according to Yonhap.

“We had not been aware of Jung Ho’s previous DUI charges,” Pirates spokesman Brian Warecki said in an email Monday afternoon. “Our immediate focus is on helping Jung Ho and are working with the medical professionals at MLB and the MLBPA to accomplish that.”

Police are also investigating whether Kang and the passenger plotted to switch drivers after the accident, according to Yonhap News. The passenger, identified by the surname Yoo, told police the driver swap was done out of goodwill. But if police determined Kang coerced Yoo into switching, they could also face abetting charges.

“I’d like to apologize to everyone who is disappointed with me,” Kang said in a statement on Friday. “Today, I got behind the wheel after drinking, and committed an irrevocable mistake. I panicked at the moment of the accident and did something that I never should have done.”

Pirates president Frank Coonelly, who was charged with four DUI-related infractions after a December 2011 arrest, also released a statement Friday saying the club was aware of the “very serious charges” against Kang.

“We are extremely disappointed in Jung Ho and in his decision process during this matter,” Coonelly said in a statement.