BTS Star Apologizes for Riding Scooter While Drunk
Suga, a member of K-pop group BTS, has apologized for riding an electric scooter while intoxicated.
The 31-year-old, whose real name is Min Yoon-gi, was riding an electric scooter in Seoul on the night of August 6 and he fell while parking it.
A police officer saw him and gave him a breath test that he failed. He lost his license and was given a fine.
According to the Yonhap News Agency, Suga's blood-alcohol level was 0.227%. Drivers who have blood-alcohol levels of 0.08% and above lose their licenses.
Those who have blood-alcohol levels of 0.2% or higher can be given fines of between 10 million and 20 million won — $7,370 to $14,740 — or be sent to prison for up to five years.
Local media said that the penalties for riding an electric scooter while drunk are the same as the penalties for driving a car while drunk.
The K-pop star issued an apology on Weverse, an online fan platform, saying he was driving after drinking alcohol at dinner.
He said he was sorry for disappointing his fans after the "regrettable incident."
He added that he had thought he was only traveling a short distance and had not realized he was not allowed to ride an electric scooter while intoxicated.
Suga's record label, Big Hit Music, also apologized for his "inappropriate" behavior.
"We will take greater care to ensure that such incidents do not happen again in the future," it added.
Suga has been doing his military service as a social service agent since September 2023. Such agents typically work regular work hours and are allowed to return home each day.
According to a spokesperson from the military, the incident will not impact his current status as an agent since it happened outside of working hours.
BTS has been taking a break from music to allow its members to do their military service.
