Illegal Modifications Exceeding Maximum Speed of 25 km/h
Average of 150 Drunk Driving Cases Annually Over the Past 5 Years
Recently, allegations have emerged that the electric scooter driven by BTS member Suga (Min Yoon-gi) during a drunk driving incident was subject to mandatory insurance enrollment and license plate installation, but these requirements were not met, raising the possibility of aggravated punishment. According to current law, electric scooters with a maximum speed of 25 km/h or more are required to have insurance and license plates, but some models can easily have their speed limits removed through online communities and private companies, placing them in a practical "management blind spot."
Suga (Min Yoon-gi) of the group BTS, who is accused of riding an electric scooter while intoxicated, is appearing at the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul on the 23rd for police questioning. [Photo by Yonhap News]
On the 30th of last month, seven stores nationwide that sell motorcycles and electric scooters recommended several models that do not require mandatory insurance or license plates, promoting them by saying, "These models have a maximum speed of 25 km/h or less, but the speed limit can be easily removed after purchase." A business owner selling motorcycles in Daegu responded to an inquiry about how to remove the speed limit by saying, "You can purchase a remote control for around 80,000 won sold online to directly remove the speed limit," adding, "There are many related videos on YouTube that you can refer to."
Under the current Road Traffic Act, electric scooters are classified as motorized bicycles and require a driver's license. License plate installation and mandatory insurance enrollment are also compulsory. However, models with a maximum speed of 25 km/h or less are exempt from license plate installation and mandatory insurance, leading to widespread illegal modifications exploiting this legal loophole. In fact, on social networking services (SNS), YouTube, and online communities, videos titled "How to remove the speed limit on OOO model" can be easily found.
Kang (31), who lives in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, said, "I bought an electric kickboard for commuting, and on online communities, all the methods to remove the speed limit are available, and it’s not difficult to do alone," adding, "I understand that electric scooters can also have their speed limits easily removed."
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, as the delivery industry has grown, the number of electric scooter sales and related safety accidents have continued to occur. According to the National Police Agency and the Korea Road Traffic Authority, an average of 150 drunk driving accidents involving motorized bicycles occurred annually over the past five years (2019?2023). The number of accidents was 163 in 2019, decreased to 110 in 2021, but rose again to 143 in 2022 and 144 last year.
Experts have pointed out that the government should strengthen crackdowns on illegal modifications of electric scooters and increase the severity of punishments. Professor Choi Jae-won of the Korea Road Traffic Authority said, "Uninsured and unlicensed electric scooters are vulnerable to management issues in the event of safety accidents," adding, "The government should strengthen crackdowns on illegally modified scooters and increase the severity of punishments for violations."
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