BTS’ Suga faces hefty fine after driving electric scooter while intoxicated
The singer was arrested in August.
By Nick Reilly
BTS star Suga has been slapped with a fine of KRW15million (£8.5k) after he drove an electric scooter while intoxicated.
As The Korea Herald reports, a judge from the Seoul Western District Court dished out the fine on September 27 in a summary judgement – a legal ruling made without a full trial. The outlet is also thought to be the same amount that the prosecution had called for as a penalty.
The 31-year-old is yet to respond to the fine, but he has the right to request a formal trial within seven days of the ruling if he wishes to appeal it.
The singer was booked by police in Seoul in August after he was caught violating the Road Traffic Act in the early hours.
The band’s label, Big Hit, shared a statement revealing that Suga fell off a scooter and was asked to give a breathalyser test by police.
The statement said: “We apologise regarding BTS member Suga’s electric scooter accident.On the night of August 6 (Tuesday), Suga was on his way home in an intoxicated state, using an electric scooter while wearing a helmet.
“He fell while parking after moving about 500 meters, and the police officer who was nearby conducted a breathalyser test, resulting in a fine and the cancellation of his license. Nobody was hurt, and no property damage occurred due to the incident, and he was taken home under police custody.”
BTS announced they would go on hiatus in 2022 so all seven members could complete their miliatry service requirements. The group is expected to reconvene in 2025.
Member Jin was discharged from the military over the summer as the first member of the K-pop band to complete the requirement, and carried the Olympic Torch in France in July ahead of the Paris games.