30-9-2024 (SEOUL) Min Yoon-gi, better known as Suga from the globally acclaimed boy band BTS, has been slapped with a hefty fine of 15 million won for operating an electric scooter whilst intoxicated.
The Seoul Western District Court handed down the sentence last Friday, which nearly reaches the maximum penalty permissible under South Korean law for such offences. The fine comes in the wake of an incident on 6th August, when police discovered the 31-year-old artist lying prostrate beside his e-scooter in the small hours of the morning.
Authorities reported that Suga’s blood alcohol content measured a staggering 0.227 per cent, almost triple the legal limit. This transgression has already resulted in the revocation of his driving licence, a blow compounded by the fact that the star is currently fulfilling his mandatory military service as a social service agent.
Under South Korea’s stringent Road Traffic Act, individuals caught operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol level exceeding 0.2 per cent can face up to five years’ imprisonment or a maximum fine of 20 million won. The court’s decision to impose a fine just shy of this upper limit underscores the gravity with which such infractions are viewed in the country.
The incident has cast a shadow over BTS’s pristine public image. In a heartfelt handwritten apology penned in late August, Suga expressed deep remorse for his actions, acknowledging that he had “tarnished” the group’s name and “left a large blemish” on the memories shared with fellow members and fans alike.
This event marks a rare misstep for the members of BTS, who have been on a self-imposed hiatus since 2022 to fulfil their military obligations. South Korea mandates military service for all men under 30, a requirement rooted in the ongoing tensions with North Korea.
The Military Manpower Administration has clarified that Suga will face punishment under traffic laws rather than military regulations, as the incident occurred outside his official working hours.
