BTS' Suga Fined Without Trial for Driving an Electric Scooter Under the Influence of Alcohol
The K-pop star violated traffic laws in South Korea in early August when he went home on an electric scooter after drinking alcohol
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BTS band member Suga in Seoul on Aug. 23, 2024Weeks after BTS member Suga had his license suspended and was fined for riding an electric scooter while under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol content level of 0.227, he will be fined without having to stand trial.
According to South Korea's Yonhap news agency, the K-pop star, 31, was "summarily indicted" for the Aug. 6 incident by the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors Office. He will be ordered to pay a fine and not need to go to trial. The expedited process is used for minor offenses.
The Road Traffic Act states that driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content level of .2 or higher could face between two and five years in prison, or pay a fine ranging from 10 million won to 20 million won ($7,439.59 to $14,879.18 in the United States).
PEOPLE reached out to BTS for comment and did not receive an immediate response.
In the late hours of Aug. 6, Suga had been found lying on the ground by a police officer, Yonhap previously reported. The singer had fallen off his electric scooter, and upon taking a breathalyzer, his blood alcohol content was 0.227 percent, above the legal limit of 0.08 percent.
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Suga in Seoul on Aug. 23, 2024Suga was booked at the Yongsan Police Station for violating the traffic laws. There, he was questioned by police officers before being released.
The day after the incident, Suga shared a statement apologizing to his fans, explaining what had happened. The K-pop star began, "I am sorry and (feel) very heavy hearted to come to you like this, after disappointing you."
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"At last [night's] dinner, after drinking, I went home on an electric scooter," he continued. "Because I had been drinking, I did not realize that using an electric scooter after drinking was against the law, and violated the road traffic laws."
He claimed that he fell in front of his home while trying to park the electric scooter, and an officer in the area conducted a breathalyzer test — which resulted in suspending his license and imposing a fine.
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Suga in Seoul in February 2023“There were no other persons or establishments damaged during that time, but it is my responsibility to bow my head and apologize (to you) with no excuses,” he added.
Suga concluded: “I’d like to apologize for my negligence and wrong behavior to all those who my actions have hurt, and will be careful with my actions to make sure that things like this do not happen again."
BTS' record label, BigHit Entertainment also released a statement following the incident.
“We apologize for the disappointment caused by the artist’s inappropriate behavior,” they said in part on Aug. 7. “As a social service agent during his military service, he is prepared to accept any disciplinary actions from his place of work for causing a social disturbance."
Suga later issued a second apology, writing, "I would like to apologize to you again with an embarrassed heart. I deeply apologize for disappointing and hurting my fans and everyone who loves me with my wrongdoings. I forgot my sense of responsibility to repay the love I have received with my actions and made a big mistake."
He continued, "I am so sorry and in pain that it is difficult to express how I have caused harm to the members and the team. I am sorry that the members who always believed in me have had a hard time because of me," continued the statement. "And I also know very well how disappointed the fans who supported and cheered me on must have felt."
"I will gladly accept any punishment that is given in the future, as well as criticism and reprimands. Lastly, I once again bow my head and sincerely apologize for causing social controversy and disappointing many people."
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