BTS’ Suga apologizes and faces police questioning over drunk driving incident on August 6, 2024
BTS’ Suga showed up for police questioning at the Yongsan Police Station on August 23, facing criticism over his drunk driving case.The South Korean Boy Band Rapper is under investigation after he had been caught in drunk driving an electric scooter on 6th August, 2024. Dispatch reported that Suga arrived with his head down, offering a sincere apology to his fans during the questioning.
“I’m sorry, I’m really sorry. I sincerely reflect on the fact that I caused disappointment to many fans and people. I will fully cooperate with the investigation. I’m sorry again,” he said before entering the station.
He did not answer reporters’ questions about the details of the case.
The incident has sparked a disproportionate response from the public. Also read – Manoj Bajpayee’s hit Prime Video series The Family Man season 4 may be the last season
Details of the incident
On the evening of August 6, BTS member SUGA, who was enjoying dinner with friends, suffered a minor accident while riding his electric scooter back home. Although riding a scooter under the influence of alcohol is considered driving under the influence (DUI), a charge that has serious legal implications in South Korea.
Police found him lying on the ground next to his electric scooter late at night, with a blood alcohol level well above the legal limit.
Experts told AFP that the punishment would depend on the type of electric scooter he was riding.
If he was riding a sophisticated electric scooter rather than a simple skateboard, SUGA “could be punished for violating the Traffic Law,” said lawyer Cha Hong-soon.
Police have said SUGA’s blood alcohol level was 0.227 per cent, almost three times the legal limit. This could mean a prison sentence of up to five years or a fine of between 10 million KRW ($7,295) and 20 million KRW ($14,952) under South Korea’s Traffic Law.
However, police will also take into account “factors such as the distance travelled by the driver, whether they caused damage and whether they had a similar criminal record,” Cha added.
BTS fans BTS fans, collectively known as ARMY, have been divided by the controversy, with some supporting the singer while others are calling for him to leave the band.
The seven members of the world’s most popular boy band have been on a self-described “hiatus” since 2022 due to their military service, which South Korea requires of all men under 30 due to tensions with the nuclear-armed North.
Source – AllKpop