BTS Suga Serving as Social Service Agent
Caught by Police Riding Electric Scooter After Drinking
Military Manpower Administration: "Difficult to Punish Outside Working Hours"
Min Yoon-gi (31), known as Suga, a member of the male idol group BTS who is serving as a social service agent, was caught by the police while riding an electric scooter under the influence of alcohol.
On the 7th, the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul announced that they had booked and investigated Suga on charges of violating the Road Traffic Act (drunk driving). Earlier, around 11:27 p.m. on the 6th, Suga was found by police lying alone after falling while riding an electric scooter on the sidewalk near Nine One Hannam in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, intoxicated.
Police officers from the riot squad who helped Suga up from the ground confirmed the smell of alcohol and handed him over to a nearby police box. Suga reportedly claimed to the police that he had "driven briefly after drinking a glass of beer," while complaining of knee pain. The breathalyzer test showed that Suga's blood alcohol concentration was at the level for license cancellation (0.08% or higher but less than 0.2%).
After this fact became known, his agency Big Hit Music (under HYBE) stated in the afternoon, "Suga was returning home in an intoxicated state, wearing a helmet, and moved about 500 meters on an electric kickboard, then fell while parking." They added, "As a result of the breathalyzer test conducted by the nearby police, he received a fine and license cancellation." They also apologized, saying, "We apologize for disappointing many people due to the artist's inappropriate behavior," and added, "He will receive appropriate disciplinary action from his workplace for causing social controversy while serving as a social service agent." The police plan to proceed with administrative procedures for Suga's license cancellation.
Suga also posted on the fan community 'Weverse' on the same day, saying, "I come to you with a very heavy and apologetic heart due to a disappointing incident." He bowed his head and said, "Although there were no victims or damaged facilities, this is my undeniable responsibility, and I sincerely apologize to everyone." He explained, "After drinking at a dinner last night, I rode an electric kickboard home," and added, "I failed to recognize that using an electric kickboard while intoxicated is prohibited by road traffic laws, thinking it was a short distance and being careless."
Electric Kickboard vs. Electric Scooter... Clear Differences in Positions Between Suga and Police
A heartfelt post Sugar wrote on his fan community 'Weverse' after being caught drinking. [Photo by Weverse]
Suga's side claims that the vehicle he used was an 'electric kickboard.' However, the police judged that the device Suga was operating was an 'electric scooter' because the model he used had a seat where a person could sit.
Both electric kickboards and electric scooters fall under motorized bicycles according to the Road Traffic Act. When caught drunk driving, electric kickboard users face administrative penalties such as license cancellation or suspension and fines, but electric scooter users are subject to separate criminal penalties.
Meanwhile, the Military Manpower Administration stated regarding Suga's drunk driving while serving as a social service agent, "Since the act occurred after working hours, additional disciplinary action or punishment is difficult." According to the social service agent service management regulations, there is a 'duty to maintain dignity' clause, but it applies only during working hours, making it difficult to apply the regulation after work hours.
However, active-duty soldiers who have enlisted in the military are subject to military law and tried in military courts if they commit crimes in society during leave or after working hours. This is why active-duty soldiers do not view social service agents favorably. An active-duty soldier A said, "I understand that both active-duty soldiers and social service agents work hard," but added, "It seems that active-duty soldiers working under harsher conditions are actually at a disadvantage."
Suga enlisted in the military in September last year and is currently serving as a social service agent. His discharge date is scheduled for June next year.
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