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Recent reports from Korean media indicate that BTS’ Suga is under investigation by the Yongsan Police Station for allegedly violating traffic laws related to drunk driving on an electric scooter. In South Korea, electric kickboards – commonly referred to as electric scooters – are subject to stringent safety regulations similar to those for automobiles, and their use requires a valid license.
According to police accounts, Suga was found alone on the night of August 6, 2024, after he reportedly rode the electric scooter while intoxicated. Officers on patrol detected the smell of alcohol and subsequently escorted him to the nearby police station for further investigation. Updates from the police revealed that Suga’s breathalyzer test results showed a blood alcohol concentration exceeding the legal limit of 0.08%, which could have serious implications for his driving license.
On August 7, 2024, BigHit Music addressed the incident with an official statement posted on BTS’s community board. The statement, as reported by koreaboo, read, “Hello, this is BigHit Music. We apologize for the matter of BTS’ member Suga driving home on an electric scooter while drunk. On the night of August 6, Suga used a helmet while driving an electric scooter home after drinking. He had driven around 500 meters before he parked and fell down. Through a police officer who had been nearby, a breathalyzer test was conducted, and as per the results, Suga’s license was revoked, and he was fined. No casualties occurred through the incident; neither was any property damaged. He was escorted home by the police”.
The statement continued, “We apologize for disappointing many people through our artist’s unsavory actions. As a public service officer, he conducted himself in a manner that caused strife in society, and thus, he plans on duly receiving the appropriate punishment from his workplace. We will be even more cautious to prevent similar matters from occurring in the future. Thank you”.
In addition to the company’s statement, Suga personally apologized through Weverse. He wrote, “Hello, this is Suga. I’m feeling extremely heavy-hearted and sorry to have to come to you all over such a disappointing matter. I rode an electric scooter home last night, after having drinks with dinner. I thought that it was a close distance, and I did not realize that you could not operate an electric scooter after drinking. As such, I violated traffic rules. I parked in front of the main gates to my home, and I fell over by myself in that process. A police officer was nearby, and through the results of a breathalyzer test, my license was revoked and I paid a fine. Although no one was hurt, neither was any property harmed in the matter, as this is inexcusably something I have to take responsibility for, I bow my head in apology to everyone. I apologize to those who were hurt by my irresponsible and wrong actions, and I will be even more careful with my actions to prevent such matters from occurring in the future”.
The incident highlights the seriousness with which South Korean laws treat electric scooter usage, governed by similar traffic laws as cars. According to SE Daily, electric scooters have a fatality rate of 5.6% for traffic accidents, which is 4.3 times higher than the overall traffic accident fatality rate.
According to police accounts, Suga was found alone on the night of August 6, 2024, after he reportedly rode the electric scooter while intoxicated. Officers on patrol detected the smell of alcohol and subsequently escorted him to the nearby police station for further investigation. Updates from the police revealed that Suga’s breathalyzer test results showed a blood alcohol concentration exceeding the legal limit of 0.08%, which could have serious implications for his driving license.
On August 7, 2024, BigHit Music addressed the incident with an official statement posted on BTS’s community board. The statement, as reported by koreaboo, read, “Hello, this is BigHit Music. We apologize for the matter of BTS’ member Suga driving home on an electric scooter while drunk. On the night of August 6, Suga used a helmet while driving an electric scooter home after drinking. He had driven around 500 meters before he parked and fell down. Through a police officer who had been nearby, a breathalyzer test was conducted, and as per the results, Suga’s license was revoked, and he was fined. No casualties occurred through the incident; neither was any property damaged. He was escorted home by the police”.
The statement continued, “We apologize for disappointing many people through our artist’s unsavory actions. As a public service officer, he conducted himself in a manner that caused strife in society, and thus, he plans on duly receiving the appropriate punishment from his workplace. We will be even more cautious to prevent similar matters from occurring in the future. Thank you”.
In addition to the company’s statement, Suga personally apologized through Weverse. He wrote, “Hello, this is Suga. I’m feeling extremely heavy-hearted and sorry to have to come to you all over such a disappointing matter. I rode an electric scooter home last night, after having drinks with dinner. I thought that it was a close distance, and I did not realize that you could not operate an electric scooter after drinking. As such, I violated traffic rules. I parked in front of the main gates to my home, and I fell over by myself in that process. A police officer was nearby, and through the results of a breathalyzer test, my license was revoked and I paid a fine. Although no one was hurt, neither was any property harmed in the matter, as this is inexcusably something I have to take responsibility for, I bow my head in apology to everyone. I apologize to those who were hurt by my irresponsible and wrong actions, and I will be even more careful with my actions to prevent such matters from occurring in the future”.
The incident highlights the seriousness with which South Korean laws treat electric scooter usage, governed by similar traffic laws as cars. According to SE Daily, electric scooters have a fatality rate of 5.6% for traffic accidents, which is 4.3 times higher than the overall traffic accident fatality rate.
