BTS's Suga Faces Investigation for Alleged Drunk Driving Incident

Sugar.Sports Chosun DB

Suga (Min Yoon-ｇi, 31), a member of the globally popular group BTS, is expected to be formally summoned by the police for an investigation regarding a recent incident where he allegedly drove an electric scooter under the influence of alcohol.

According to sources on the 11th, the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul plans to summon Suga for questioning to determine the specifics of his alcohol consumption on the night in question.

The incident occurred on the 6th of this month when Suga reportedly fell while riding an electric scooter near his residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Police officers patrolling the area at the time conducted a sobriety test and found his blood alcohol level to be 0.227%, significantly above the legal threshold for license revocation (0.08%).

At the time, the police did not recognize Suga as a BTS member. After conducting a basic alcohol test, they allowed him to return home without conducting a thorough investigation due to his inebriated state. The electric scooter involved was not confiscated. Suga reportedly informed the police that he had consumed approximately one glass of beer.

Given these circumstances, the police are likely to summon Suga for further questioning and to complete a formal report. However, the date for this summons has not yet been determined, as it requires coordination between the parties involved. It has been confirmed that Suga, who is currently serving as a social service worker as part of his alternative military service, has not yet received an official notice to appear for questioning.

In the meantime, police have initiated administrative procedures to revoke Suga's driver's license. Under the Road Traffic Act, a person whose license is revoked must surrender it to the head of the city or provincial police agency within seven days of receiving the revocation notice.

If a person subject to license revocation submits their license, they may apply for a temporary driving permit. The validity period of this permit is 40 days, after which the revocation will take effect.

Suga's blood alcohol level is high enough to warrant aggravated penalties under current law. If a person’s blood alcohol level exceeds 0.08%, their license is revoked, and they may face imprisonment for one to two years or a fine ranging from 5 million to 10 million won.

However, since Suga's blood alcohol level was reported to be over 0.2%, he could face harsher penalties, including imprisonment for two to five years and a fine between 10 million and 20 million won.

Suga began his military service in March this year at a training center in Nonsan, Chungcheongnam-do, where he received basic military training. He is currently fulfilling his service obligation as a social service worker, with his discharge date scheduled for June 2025.