Past Traffic Accident of BTS Member Suga Discussed after Drunk-driving Incident

Police in Yongsan-gu, Seoul found Suga on August 6 after he had fallen off an electric scooter while under the influence. His blood alcohol content was above the legal limit of 0.08%, which could result in his license being revoked.

Prior to his debut in 2012, Suga faced a shoulder injury due to a motorcycle accident while he was working as a delivery driver. This accident resulted in a dislocated shoulder and caused him to quit breakdancing. Despite seeking medical treatment, the pain continued and in 2019, he was diagnosed with a torn labrum in his left shoulder, ultimately requiring surgery in the subsequent year.

Suga’s agency clarified that he had opted for surgery in order to ensure his fitness for his military service and future endeavors in the music industry. As a result of the injury, Suga was unable to enlist as originally planned and instead began serving as a public service worker in September 2023.

Despite the gravity of this previous incident, there is speculation among fans and the general public as to why Suga would choose to ride a scooter on a busy road while under the influence, especially as he has been a victim of such behavior himself.

After initially apologizing and stating that he had used an electric kickboard, both Suga and his agency later confirmed that he had actually been riding a foldable electric scooter. This was revealed through CCTV footage on August 7 by JTBC’s “Newsroom” and police reports. It is important to note that using either an electric kickboard or scooter while under the influence can result in license suspension or revocation and fines. However, scooters with higher speeds and engine capacities can lead to more severe consequences, such as fines up to 10 million KRW or even imprisonment.

Despite the growing controversy surrounding the “false explanation,”BigHit Music released a follow-up statement clarifying that the scooter was mistakenly identified as a kickboard with a seat. The agency stressed that they had no intention of downplaying the incident and were not aware that the matter was still being investigated after Suga was sent home following a breathalyzer test. They also assured their full cooperation with the ongoing police investigation.

The source of this information can be found on the Nate website at the following link: https://news.nate.com/view/20240808n07493?mid=n1008