BTS member Suga has issued a public apology after being booked by South Korean police for riding an electric scooter while intoxicated.
In a statement posted to Weverse, Suga, whose real name is Min Yoon-gi, expressed regret over his actions and took full responsibility.
“I am very heavy-hearted and apologetic to bring you disappointing news,” said Suga in his apology as reported in Soompi.
“After drinking at a dinner yesterday night, I rode an electric scooter home. I violated the Road Traffic Act due to my complacent thinking that it was a short distance and my failure to recognise that using an electric scooter while intoxicated was prohibited.”
“I fell while parking the scooter in front of my house, and the nearby police officer conducted a breathalyser test, resulting in the cancellation of my license and a fine. Although there were no victims or damaged facilities in this process, it is entirely my responsibility without any excuse, and I sincerely apologise to everyone.”
Suga concluded, “I apologise to everyone hurt by my careless and wrong actions, and I will be more careful in my actions in the future to prevent such incidents from occurring again.”
The incident took place in the early hours of August 7th. The Seoul Yongsan Police Station announced that Suga was booked for violating the Road Traffic Act after allegedly operating an electric scooter under the influence of alcohol.
According to the reports, Suga was stopped after travelling approximately 500 metres when he fell off the scooter.
A nearby police officer conducted a breathalyser test, resulting in a fine and the cancellation of Suga’s driving licence. Suga was wearing a helmet at the time, and there were no injuries or property damage reported.
BTS’s label, Big Hit Entertainment, also released a statement on Weverse acknowledging Suga’s actions.
“We apologise regarding BTS member Suga’s electric scooter accident. On the night of August 6th (Tuesday), Suga was on his way home in an intoxicated state, using an electric scooter while wearing a helmet. He fell while parking after moving about 500 metres, and the police officer who was nearby conducted a breathalyser test, resulting in a fine and the cancellation of his licence. Nobody was hurt, and no property damage occurred due to the incident, and he was taken home under police custody,” the statement read.
They continued, “We apologise for the disappointment caused by our artist’s inappropriate behaviour. As a public service worker, he will receive appropriate disciplinary action from his workplace for causing public disturbance. We will take greater care to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. Thank you.”
