SUGA of popular South Korean pop group BTS was briefly detained by police after driving an electric scooter while intoxicated in Seoul on Tuesday night. As a result, the 31-year-old musician has had his license revoked and has had to pay a fine.
In a statement released on Wednesday, August 7, SUGA admitted to riding a scooter after drinking alcohol at a dinner the night before. “I thought it was a short distance and didn’t realize that you can’t ride an electric scooter while intoxicated, so I violated traffic laws,” he explained.
“While parking my electric skateboard at the front door of my house, I fell down by myself,” SUGA continued. “And as a result of the breathalyzer test conducted by a nearby police officer, my license was revoked and I was given a fine. No one was injured nor were any facilities damaged in the process, but this is my responsibility and I have no excuses, so I bow my head and apologize to everyone.”
According to the police officer in charge of traffic in Yongsan, a district of Seoul where SUGA resides, his blood alcohol content was above the license revocation levels, or at least 0.08 percent (via The New York Times).
In a separate statement, BTS’s record label Big Hit Music said, “We deeply apologize for causing disappointment and concern to many people due to the artist’s inappropriate behavior. We take this matter seriously and will accept any necessary measures from the authorities regarding behavior that has caused public concern and social disruption. We will ensure that such incidents do not occur again in the future and will exercise increased caution.”
SUGA is currently enlisted in the South Korean military as a social service agent. He is expected to complete his service in June 2025.
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