BTS' Suga Fined Without Trial for Driving an Electric Scooter Under the Influence of Alcohol

Mar. 15, 2025

BTS band member Suga in Seoul on Aug. 23, 2024.Photo:Chung Sung-Jun/Getty

Chung Sung-Jun/Getty

Weeks afterBTSmemberSugahadhis license suspended and was finedfor riding an electric scooter while under the influence with a blood alcohol content level above 0.08%, he will be fined without having to stand trial.

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.

Suga in Seoul on Aug. 23, 2024.The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty

The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty

The day after the incident, Sugashared 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.

Suga in Seoul in February 2023.Han Myung-Gu/WireImage

Han Myung-Gu/WireImage

“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 alsoreleased a statementfollowing the incident.

Sugalater 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.”

source: people.com