A member of the globally renowned K-pop group BTS, Suga, has been fined 15 million won (approximately $11,500) for driving an electric scooter while intoxicated.
The singer, whose real name is Min Yoon-gi, was indicted in August after falling off the scooter near his home in Seoul.
Police discovered that his blood alcohol level was 0.227%, significantly higher than South Korea’s legal limit of 0.08%.
A district court in Seoul handed down the fine last Friday, and Suga also had his driver’s license revoked as part of the penalty.
The incident occurred in August, when police found him trying to stand up after the fall. He later admitted to driving home while intoxicated, thinking the distance was short.
In a public apology issued shortly after the incident, Suga expressed remorse for his actions, acknowledging that no property or individuals were harmed but taking full responsibility for his behavior.
“I apologise to those who have been hurt by my carelessness and wrongful behaviour, and I will ensure that this does not happen again,” he said.
The rapper, who is currently serving his mandatory military service as a social service agent, faced mixed reactions following the incident.
While some called for his removal from BTS, a large number of his fans defended him, underscoring the pressure on K-pop idols to maintain a spotless image.
The 31 year old was assigned social service duty in the military after being deemed unfit for active combat due to health reasons.
