Singer SUGA, a member of the ultra-popular K-pop group BTS, said he was “really sorry” for riding an electric scooter while intoxicated on Friday when he arrived at a police station in South Korea.
The 31-year-old artist was found lying next to his scooter by police on the night of August 6, with a blood alcohol level nearly three times the limit for a license withdrawal.
SUGA apologized and bowed to the press outside the Yongsan District Police Station in the capital Seoul.
“I’m sorry, I’m really sorry. I’m really thinking about the fact that I disappointed many fans and many people. I will fully cooperate with the investigation,” he said before entering, without answering questions about the case.
The singer, who is currently doing his compulsory military service in social services, had his driving licence revoked and was fined.
He is yet to be questioned by police, who were unable to do so on the night of the incident because he was too drunk.
SUGA, real name Min Yoon-gi, admitted to driving while intoxicated and also apologized to his fans on social media.
According to experts, his sentence will depend on the type of scooter he used.
If he had ridden a sophisticated electric scooter and not a simple scooter, he “could be punished for violating traffic laws,” lawyer Cha Hong-soon said.
The artist could face a prison sentence of up to five years, or a fine of ten to 20 million won (around 6,750 to 13,500 euros).
Police will take into consideration “driving distance, possible damage and similar criminal history,” Cha added.
The Military Administration said SUGA would not be punished under martial law, as the incident took place outside of his working hours.
The thirty-year-old’s fans are divided: some support him while others call on him to leave BTS.
“People say you should never like an idol who appears on the police register or the 9 p.m. news and I’m just really disappointed in him,” lamented one of the fans, Park Soo-hee, saying she couldn’t help but cry.
published on August 24 at 06:10, AFP
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