'I have no excuse': BTS' Suga apologises after being caught drunk riding electric scooter

[UPDATE: AUG 8]

CCTV footage of BTS' Suga on the road while intoxicated was released by Korean media yesterday (Aug 7).

While his agency Big Hit Music initially called it an electric kick scooter, the police later clarified that the vehicle Suga rode was actually an electric scooter with a seat.

Korean media said it is classified as a personal mobility device with a maximum speed of 30 km/h.

The police added investigations are still ongoing and the case was not closed, contrary to what the agency said earlier.

In a statement today, Big Hit Music denied they had tried to downplay the incident, apologising for "rushing to make a statement without carefully checking various circumstances and therefore creating confusion".

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Suga from K-pop boy band BTS was booked and questioned by the police for violating South Korea's Road Traffic Act.

The 31-year-old, whose real name is Min Yoon-gi, was caught drunk while riding an electric kick scooter last night (Aug 6).

In a post on the social media platform Weverse today, he apologised for "disappointing" fans, explaining that he had drinks at a dinner meeting and rode the scooter on the way home.

"I failed to recognise that riding an electric scooter while under the influence of alcohol is prohibited. As a result, I violated traffic laws," Suga wrote.

He added that he fell while parking the scooter in front of his home and was administered a breathalyser test by a police officer nearby.

"My licence was revoked and I was fined. Though no one was harmed and no property was damaged, I have no excuse for what happened and take full responsibility. I bow my head and give everyone my deepest apologies," said Suga.

According to South Korean reports, the police revealed that Suga's blood alcohol concentration was at a level warranting licence cancellation, which would be 0.08 per cent or higher.

His agency Big Hit Music also issued an apology and said he was able to return home under police supervision.

Suga is currently serving his military service as a social service worker, and a representative from the Military Manpower Administration told media Ilgan Sports that the incident will not affect his duties as it occurred after service hours.

They said: "Disciplinary actions are only taken for work-related violations during official service hours. Incidents outside of work are subject to general criminal law."

Actions such as drinking, gambling, or other misconduct during service hours can lead to an extension of service by five days for each warning.

Suga is expected to be discharged in June 2025.

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syarifahsn@asiaone.com