Police report BTS' Suga might be subjected to criminal punishment for drunk driving an electric scooter

On August 9, 2024, Dispatch reported that BTS' Min Yoongi, aka Suga, might face criminal punishment. The Yongsan Police Station officer told the publication exclusively that the electric scooter Suga drove on August 6, 2024, isn't regarded as personal mobility equipment.

The police stated that any vehicle under 30 pounds (13.6 kg) that can move a person at a maximum speed of 25 km/hr is considered a personal mobility device (PMD). Dispatch reported that according to the police report, Suga was riding an electric scooter, categorized as a motorized bicycle.

"If you drive a PMD, you will only receive administrative punishment, but suga's scooter was not PMDs. Therefore, he can be subject to criminal punishment for drunk driving," a police officer told Dispatch.

For the unversed, on August 7, the BTS idol was investigated by the Yongsan Police Station for driving an electric scooter under alcohol intoxication. A police officer found the rapper falling in front of his house as Suga tried to park the vehicle. The police took a blow test, and the idol's blood alcohol level was reportedly 0.08%, enough to get his license revoked for a few days.

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Was BTS Suga's electric scooter a PMD or a PTD? Exploring the police report and South Korea's law

United States Forces Korea states that vehicles intended for personnel transportation that are not registered as motor vehicles, motorcycles, or motor scooters and may only go at a maximum speed of 60 km/hr on flat terrain are known as personal transportation devices or PTDs. In Korea, PTD operators must hold a license to use their vehicles.

It is crucial to note that according to this law and guideline, Suga's vehicle doesn't fit the description of a PTD since the Yongsan Police report mentioned Suga's electric scooter's maximum speed to be 30km/hr. This technically attests to the BTS idol's vehicle being a personal mobility device (PMD).

However, in South Korea, drunk driving on an electric scooter is punishable by law with the same administrative fines as drunk driving in a car. If the vehicle's top speed exceeds 25 km/hr, such activities may result in a fine of up to 10 million won ($7,231) or imprisonment for a minimum of 1-2 years.

The BTS idol apologized via Weverse on August 7, 2024, and immediately took responsibility for his actions. He assured netizens that nobody was harmed and that he had tripped over his electric scooter in front of his house door. He further said that he dutifully paid the fine and was punished by getting his license revoked.

"In the process of setting up an electric kickboard at the front door of the house, I fell alone, and there was a police officer around me, so I took a breath test and found that my license was revoked and a fine was imposed. There were no people or facilities damaged in this process, but I would like to bow down and apologize to everyone because it is my inexcusable responsibility," the BTS idol wrote.

The BTS rapper is serving in the South Korean military. Hence, the Military Manpower Administration released its statement on August 7. News 1 reported that the organization underscored that the idol was on leave and the incident occurred outside the work premises; hence, they would not take any action against him.

"Because it was not an accident that occurred during working hours and was not related to social service, there will be no warning from the Military Manpower Administration. There will be no impact on Suga as a social service worker due to this incident."

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BTS' Min Yoongi enlisted in the South Korean military to fulfill his alternative service as a social service worker on September 22, 2023. He was classified as a Grade-5 cadet because of his shoulder injury, which prevented him from undergoing military training and choosing alternative duty.

In contrast to the necessary 18-month timeframe for Korean military duty, alternative services require a recruit to serve for 21 months.