BTS’ Suga Fined Over US$11,000 for Drunk Driving Incident with Electric Scooter

BTS member Suga was fined 15 million KRW, or approximately US$11,468, by a Seoul court for his recent drunken driving incident on his electric scooter.

The Korean Herald reported that a Seoul Western District Court judge imposed the fine on September 27 in a summary judgment, which is a legal decision made by a judge without a full trial. The outlet also noted that the fine was the same amount requested by the prosecution as a sanction.

Although the 31-year-old rapper has yet to respond publicly to the fine at the time of writing, Suga has the right to request a formal trial within seven days of the decision if he wishes to challenge it, according to the outlet .

The K-pop idol was first arrested by South Korean police in early August for violating traffic laws by riding an electric scooter while under the influence. Following his accusation, BTS’s label Big Hit Music and Suga both released official statements and apologized to fans regarding the incident.

He will then be summoned for questioning on August 23 at Yongsan Police Station in Seoul. Suga then issued a second formal apology a few days later on Weverse, where he wrote that he had “made a big mistake.”

“Because of my carelessness, everyone who cares about me is having a hard time. I will live my life thinking and making efforts not to commit such wrongdoing again,” he added.

Suga, real name Min Yoon-gi, is currently completing his mandatory military service as a social worker, with his official discharge, after the required two years, scheduled for June 2025.