BTS Suga Faces Brief Prosecution and 15 Million Won Fine for First-Time Drunk Driving Offense

On September 11th, it was reported that the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office’s Criminal Division 2 (Chief Prosecutor Choo Hye-yoon) summarily indicted Suga, who was suspected of drunk driving, with a fine of 15 million won the previous day.

Summary prosecution is a procedure whereby the prosecution requests the court to impose fines or confiscation without a formal trial, typically used for relatively minor offenses.

Under the penalty clause of the Road Traffic Act, drunk drivers with blood alcohol levels of 0.03% to less than 0.08% can face imprisonment for up to one year or fines of up to 5 million won. Those with levels between 0.08% and less than 0.2% may face imprisonment for up to two years or fines of up to 10 million won.

Suga recorded a blood alcohol concentration of 0.227% at the time of detection, leading to a significant fine for exceeding the legal limit.

Many legal experts believe that the 15 million won (approximately 18,400 U.S. dollars) fine is the maximum for a first-time offender. “The summary indictment fine of 15 million won is the maximum amount for a first-time offender,” stated lawyer Noh Jong-eon. “This appears to serve as a warning against drunk driving.”

Suga was charged with operating an electric scooter while intoxicated in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, at 11:15 p.m. on June 6. His blood alcohol level of 0.227 percent significantly exceeded the threshold for license revocation (0.08%).

In his initial apology, Suga claimed he had consumed only “about a glass of beer,” but faced backlash once his actual blood alcohol level was disclosed. He also attempted to explain the circumstances of the incident, referring to the “electric scooter” as an “electric kickboard,” raising suspicions about his honesty.

Seventeen days after the incident, Suga visited the police on the 23rd of last month and acknowledged his wrongdoing. “I will strive to avoid misbehavior in the future and live with remorse,” Suga expressed. “I accept criticism and will face future penalties.”

Source: daum