Suga of K-pop group BTS fined for driving while drunk — but his ride is causing confusion

Suga, a member of K-pop group BTS, apologized Wednesday for driving an electric vehicle while intoxicated.

His label, Big Hit Music, said Min Yoon-gi — famously known as Suga — was driving an “electric kickboard” Tuesday night in Seoul, South Korea, when he fell while parking it.

A police officer spotted him and administered a breathalyzer test that Suga failed, leading to his licence being revoked and a fine, the label added.

An electric kickboard refers to a type of vehicle without a seat. However, police told local media Suga’s vehicle had a seat and resembled an electric scooter under traffic law. In South Korea, the type of vehicle affects the penalty for drunk driving.

Yongsan Police Station in Seoul reportedly booked Suga for violating the Road Traffic Act. It’s currently unclear whether the police have begun an investigation process. Multiple calls from the Associated Press to the station’s spokesperson went unanswered.

‘I come to you with a very heavy heart’

The K-pop star issued an apology on Weverse, an online fan platform, saying he was driving after consuming alcohol at dinner.

“I come to you with a very heavy heart and deep apologies for disappointing you with this regrettable incident,” Suga wrote in Korean on Weverse. “I thought complacently that it was a short distance, not realizing I was not allowed to ride the electric scooter while intoxicated, breaking the Road Traffic Act.”

Suga has been doing his mandatory military service as a social service agent since September 2023.

In South Korea, all able-bodied men must serve in the army, navy or air force for 18-21 months under a conscription system established due to threats from North Korea.

Individuals with certain physical or mental conditions may instead serve for 21 months at non-military institutions such as welfare centres, community service centres and post offices.

Big Hit Music, Suga’s label, also apologized for the incident, stating: “He will accept any disciplinary measures from the place of duty regarding actions that caused social controversy as a social service worker.”

According to the spokesperson from the Military Manpower Administration, the incident will not impact Suga’s current status as an agent, since it happened outside of official working hours.