SUGA of BTS is fined $11,500 for drunken scooter incident

BTS member Suga has been fined by the Seoul Western District Court for his drunken scooter incident back in August.

According to Aubrey Carampel’s report in Balitanghali on Monday, the K-pop star has paid a fine of $11,500 or about P643,672 for driving an electric scooter while under the influence of alcohol on August 6.

Suga’s label BIGHIT Music has yet to respond to the court’s decisions.

On August 7, Suga released a statement of apology amid reports of his DUI charge. He said he went out to dinner and had drinks and he went home afterwards using an electric scooter. He fell while parking the scooter in front of his home.

Nearby police officers approached him and conducted a beathalyzer test.

Police have said Suga's blood alcohol level was 0.227 percent — nearly three times what is permitted by law.

Driving with a blood alcohol level over 0.2 percent can result in a prison sentence of up to five years or a fine of up to 20 million won under the South Korean Road Traffic Act.

Suga was fined and his license, suspended.

According to the K-pop superstar, there were no people affected or any establishments damaged, but took responsibility for what happened, "to bow my head and apologize with no excuses."

"I'd like to apologize for my negligence and wrong behavior to all those whose my actions have hurt, and will be careful with my actions to make sure that things like this do not happen again," he said.

Following his first apology, Suga faced police investigations. He also assured his cooperation with the police's investigation.

Earlier this month, he apologized anew and said he will “accept” the disciplinary measure that will be decided by the authorities.

Suga is among the BTS members who are currently undergoing his mandatory military service.

Seoul's Military Manpower Administration has said that Suga will be punished according to the traffic law, not military law, as the incident happened outside of his official working hours.

So far, only Jin has been discharged after completing his service.

Also known as Agust D, Suga has released two mixtapes, a self-titled one released in 2016, and "D-2," which dropped in 2020, and his studio album "D-Day," which was released in 2023.

BTS is set to reconvene as a group in 2025. 

— with reports from AFP, Jade Veronique Yap/LA, GMA Integrated News