KOREA: PINKVILLA reported that Suga of BTS was fined for operating an electric scooter while intoxicated. On Sept 30, the Seoul Court issued a summary order, fining him 15 million KRW (approximately 11,200 USD) for this offence.
The incident occurred on the night of Aug 6, when Suga was caught riding an electric scooter while intoxicated. After undergoing a breathalyzer test, he was taken to a police station to provide a statement.
Later, on Aug 23, he returned to Yongsan Police Station for further questioning, where he publicly apologized. His case was handed over to the prosecution, which led to the fine imposed on Sept 11.
Blood alcohol above legal limit
A summary order is a penalty issued for less severe offences, and Suga has the option to request a formal trial within seven days.
His blood alcohol content was reported to be 0.227%, far above the legal limit in South Korea, which triggers harsher penalties for those caught with a level over 0.2%.
According to the country’s Road Traffic Act, individuals with such high levels can face 2 to 5 years of imprisonment or a fine between 10 and 20 million KRW.
Despite this legal issue, Suga has celebrated a major career milestone. His album D-DAY debuted at number four on Billboard’s Best-Selling Rap Albums in the US over the last decade, selling over 118,000 copies in its first week.
Only six rap albums have surpassed this milestone, with Travis Scott’s UTOPIA leading the list. This achievement underscores SUGA’s significant impact on the global music scene.
Additional solo career
Rapper, composer, and record producer Suga is from South Korea. He also goes by his stage name, Agust D. Suga, who is well-known as a popular boy band BTS member.
In addition to his work with BTS, Suga has also released solo mixtapes under the name Agust D. His mixtapes, which have been acclaimed for their high production values and profound lyrics, highlight his range as an artist.