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On August 7, 2024, BTS' Min Yoongi, aka Suga, made waves online after he was fined for drunk driving an electric kickboard. News 1 reported that the Military Affairs Administration of South Korea issued a statement clarifying that the incident happened outside their jurisdiction and, hence, will not require any punishment. They stressed there "will be no impact" on his service period.
"Since 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," the statement read.
The AMYGDALA rapper-songwriter reportedly rode the electric kickboard to his home on the night of August 6 and fell off it while trying to park it in front of his house. A police officer nearby spotted the musician and took a blow test, which resulted in a fine and Suga's license being revoked for a few days.
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For the uninitiated, an electric kickboard or an electric scooter's top speed is between 25 and 40 mph. It is a low-motor vehicle and operates on a remote switch. South Korea requires a license for individuals to ride it and enforces strict penalties for drunk driving an e-scooter.
BTS' Suga and BIGHIT MUSIC apologize to the fans for the mishap
On August 7, 2024, Suga posted an apology note on Weverse and explained the situation. He clarified that after having dinner, he rode the electric kickboard for 500 meters to his home and accidentally lost his footing while trying to park it in front of his house door.
Suga mentioned that he wasn't aware of the laws regarding e-scooters in South Korea and apologized for causing a stir online.
"After drinking at the dinner table last night, I got home on an electric kickboard. I violated the road traffic laws without realizing...[...] 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of the house, I fell alone, and there was a police officer around me, so I took a breath test and found that my license was revoked and a fine was imposed," he said.
Additionally, News 1 reported that BIGHIT MUSIC released a statement and apologized on behalf of Suga. They underscored that the rapper might be punished at his workplace. However, it depends on the Military Affairs Administration.
"For his actions that caused social controversy as a social service worker, he will receive appropriate disciplinary action from his workplace."
However, the Military Affairs Administration has already made its stance known. Since the incident happened outside the work premises and not during his duty calls, the organization will not take any action against the BTS idol.
BTS' Min Yoongi enlisted in the South Korean military to fulfill his alternative mandatory service on September 22, 2023. He will return in June 2025 after completing 21 months of conscription.
