BTS member Suga is facing criminal charges following a shocking revelation that he was operating a motorized scooter with a blood alcohol content of 0.227%, far exceeding Korea’s legal limit of 0.03%. An official from Yongsan Police Station confirmed that the scooter Suga was using does not qualify as a personal mobility device, but rather as a motorized bicycle, making him liable for the same legal consequences as driving a car under the influence.
In an exclusive statement to Dispatch, a police representative explained, "Suga was operating an electric scooter. After investigating the device, we found that [the scooter model] is not included in the personal mobility device list. Operating a personal mobility device would result in administrative measures. [Suga’s scooter] was not a personal mobility device. Therefore, he can be subject to criminal punishment for driving under the influence."
Under South Korea’s Road Traffic Act, driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher can result in a fine between ₩5 million KRW (about $3,650 USD) to ₩10 million KRW (about $7,290 USD) or a prison sentence of 1-2 years. Despite Suga’s initial testimony claiming he only had one glass of beer, the police investigation revealed a far more serious infraction.
While the Military Manpower Association has confirmed that Suga will not face additional military punishment, the police investigation into the incident is still ongoing.