BTS’s Suga Faces Serious Legal Trouble After Drunk Scooter Ride—Could He Go to Jail?

The news that BTS’s Suga was seen riding an electric scooter while intoxicated has raised questions about the potential severity of his punishment.

According to The Fact, the police have determined that Suga’s electric scooter, which he was riding while under the influence, can reach speeds of over 25 km/h (15.5 mph). This detail could significantly affect the seriousness of his punishment. In South Korea, electric scooters are categorized as motorized bicycles under the Road Traffic Act, which means they are subject to the same penalties as drunk driving a car. If his blood alcohol concentration falls between 0.03% and 0.2%, the penalty could be between 1 to 5 years in prison or a fine ranging from 5 million to 20 million KRW ($3,670 to $14,700).

On Wednesday night, Suga was found to have fallen while riding an electric scooter in the Yongsan area. When police arrived to assist, they detected the smell of alcohol and took him to a nearby police station. At the time, his blood alcohol level was at or above the threshold for license suspension (0.08% or higher). He has since been fined and had his license revoked.

Following the incident, Suga’s agency, Big Hit Music, commented, “On the night of the 6th, Suga was riding an electric scooter while wearing a helmet as he was heading home in an intoxicated state.” Suga also issued an apology, stating, “I was careless, assuming the short distance would be fine, and did not realize that riding an electric scooter while drunk is against the laws.”

Initially, Bit Hit Music described the vehicle as an electric kickboard, but it later became clear that it was an “electric scooter,” leading to considerable backlash.

In response, Big Hit Music issued a follow-up statement, explaining, “We initially referred to the vehicle as an electric kickboard because it had a seat, but we have since learned that the classification depends on the product’s performance and specifications, which can also affect liability. Contrary to some claims, there was no intention to minimize the situation.”