Backlash Over Suga's 'One Beer' Lie and Drunk Driving Charges
Aug 09, 2024
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According to Dispatch on the 9th, it was reported that the vehicle driven by Suga was not a low-speed electric scooter, but rather an electric scooter classified as a motorized bicycle. The electric scooter Suga disclosed after the drunk driving controversy is a personal mobility (PM) device with a maximum speed of less than 25 kilometers per hour and a vehicle weight of less than 30 kilograms, which typically classifies it as a PM. However, the scooter that Suga was driving after drinking was actually categorized as a motorized bicycle, which subjects it to the same legal penalties for drunk driving as other motorized vehicles. The police indicated that Suga could face criminal charges for drunk driving.
Suga, who has been serving as an alternative social service worker since September last year, was found by the police after he fell while driving his electric scooter under the influence of alcohol in Yongsan-gu on the 6th. Initially, it was reported that Suga had been driving an "electric kickboard" while under the influence, leading to a misunderstanding of the legal implications. He claimed that he fell while parking the kickboard near the front door of his home, where a police officer nearby conducted a breathalyzer test, resulting in his license being revoked and a fine imposed.
The incident appeared to have been resolved when it was initially claimed that he was driving a "kickboard." However, the release of CCTV footage showing Suga driving an electric scooter, not an electric kickboard, reignited the controversy. This discrepancy led the public to suspect that Suga had downplayed the incident by misrepresenting the vehicle involved in the drunk driving incident.
As the controversy grew, Big Hit Music, Suga's agency, issued an apology, stating, "We apologize for the confusion caused by releasing a statement in haste without thoroughly verifying the details. We initially believed that the vehicle used by the artist was a kickboard with a saddle. Upon further investigation, we realized that the classification could vary depending on the product's specifications, which may also affect the responsibility for the incident. There was no intention to downplay the severity of the situation." Despite the apology, criticism persisted.
The controversy deepened when The Dong-A Ilbo reported on Wednesday that Suga's blood alcohol level was 0.227%, well above the legal limit. Under current law, a blood alcohol concentration between 0.08% and 0.2% when caught drunk driving on an electric scooter can result in imprisonment for one to two years or a fine of 5 to 10 million won. If the blood alcohol concentration exceeds 0.2%, the penalty increases to two to five years in prison or a fine of 10 to 20 million won.
When questioned by the police after being caught driving under the influence, Suga reportedly stated, "I only had a glass of beer," but the blood alcohol level revealed by the police indicated that his license was revoked due to being "drunk."
soulhn1220@sportschosun.com
