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BTS' Min Yoongi aka Suga has been subjected to constant public backlash due to his DUI incident which occurred on August 7, 2024. Some netizens sent flower wreaths and protest trucks outside HYBE, demanding the rapper's removal from BTS on August 17. According to the report by Allkpop, the Yongsan District Bureau Office allegedly disclosed the personal information of the protesters.
Since the leak, the protest group faced several attempts at online data theft and hacking attacks by anonymous parties. The Yongsan District Bureau Office stated that while they were addressing complaints against the protest group, one of their officials accidentally showed the "assembly permit" to the complainers.
This document had names and addresses of individuals who allegedly took an active part in sending wreaths and protesting against BTS' Suga. Yongsan District Bureau Office stated:
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"We told the complainers that the protests are being carried out with a legal permit, recognizing the group's right to assembly, so the district cannot do anything at this time. But while explaining this, the worker who was on site showed the complainers a copy of the right to assembly permit."
They acknowledged their mistake and said:
"Yes, personal information such as names and addresses should not have been shared with the complainers. It was a mistake on the part of the Bureau Office."
Alleging a serious invasion of privacy, protest organizers filed a lawsuit against the victims of civil complaints and the Yongsan District Bureau Office.
Police reported to summon BTS' Suga for further investigation
On August 19, Sports Chosun reported that authorities were considering the possibility of summoning Suga for interrogation by the end of August 25, 2024, "this week." However, they asserted that there won't be any Photo Line and the rapper will not be summoned on a weekend or at night.
"There are various circumstances, so the investigation team is coordinating the schedule. We plan to finalize the schedule this week, and we will not call him on the weekend or at night. We cannot intentionally create a photo line."
The police stated that they will adhere to the standard investigation process and said:
"We will apply the same standards as other suspects. We will investigate in detail the various suspicions and the circumstances leading up to the drunk driving."
For the unversed, a Photo Line refers to a line designated with yellow tape in front of the prosecutor's office where the person formally called for interrogation or examination in the event of a warrant for arrest. It is used as an unethical tactic to penalize suspects based on public opinion before their trial and exists only in Korea.
The BTS rapper was charged for drunk driving an electric kickboard/scooter on the night of August 6 while returning home. The next day, he apologized for being unaware of the traffic rules for riding an electric scooter under the influence. JTBC released CCTV footage, alleging that Suga was driving a motorized vehicle.
On August 15, Dong-A Ilbo released the original CCTV clip around Suga's residency—Nine One Hannam Complex. The rapper was seen riding a remote-controlled foldable electric scooter without an engine. He fell down while taking a turn in front of his residency gate. The idol's vehicle's maximum speed limit was 30km/hr and he was seen riding at a speed much lower than that.
BIGHIT MUSIC, Suga's agency, confirmed the video released by news outlet Dong-A Ilbo. The video also debunked JTBC's previous video, which caused a lot of misinformation and confusion.
On August 17, JTBC apologized for misreporting the incident and airing a fake CCTV clip, causing confusion. Meanwhile, Koreaboo reported on August 19 that Suga's blood level alcohol (BAC) was 0.227%, while MBC's report from August 7 mentioned that the Yongsan Police Department stated the idol's BAC was 0.08%.
BTS' Suga is currently serving in the military and will be discharged in June 2025.
