BTS’ Suga apologises for riding electric scooter while drunk
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
BTS' Suga during his solo concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in June 2023. The rapper has apologised for riding an electric scooter while intoxicated.
PHOTO: BIGHIT MUSIC
Follow topic:
K-pop boy band BTS member Suga, whose real name is Min Yoon-gi, has apologised for riding an electric scooter while intoxicated.
According to Yonhap News, the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul said on Aug 7 that the 31-year-old rapper was questioned for allegedly driving an electric scooter under the influence. He has been charged with violating the Road Traffic Act.
The police said he was found lying on the ground alone after falling off his electric scooter on the streets of Hannam neighbourhood on the night of Aug 6.
Suga is currently fulfilling his mandatory military service as a social service agent, a role that typically involves a regular schedule, allowing him to return home after working hours. He was ruled unfit for regular combat duty, which is believed to be due to an old shoulder injury. He enlisted in September 2023.
Following the news report, both Suga and his label BigHit Music apologised for the incident on the global fan platform Weverse on Aug 7.
In his statement, he admitted that he rode home on an electric scooter after having drinks during dinner on Aug 6.
“I violated road traffic laws without realising that I was not allowed to use an electric scooter while under the influence,” he said.
He added that he fell while trying to park the scooter at his front door and a police officer saw him. The officer conducted a breathalyser test, and Suga’s licence was revoked and he was fined.
Since 2021, users of electric scooters in South Korea are required to have a driver’s licence.
Suga added: “Although no one was harmed and no facilities were damaged during this incident, I bow my head in apology to everyone as it is my responsibility (to uphold the law) and there is no room for excuses.
BigHit Music, which manages BTS, said: “While returning home drunk, Suga wore a helmet and used an electric scooter. After moving about 500m, he fell while parking.”
It added: “We apologise for disappointing many people due to our artiste’s inappropriate behaviour. We will accept any disciplinary action from his workplace as a social service worker for this misconduct.”
Aside from Suga, five other members of the superstar septet – RM, J-Hope, Jungkook, Jimin and V – are currently doing their mandatory military service.
BTS’ oldest member, Jin, 31, was the first among them to enlist. He was discharged from the army in June.
