SEOUL, August 30 (AJP) - Suga, a member of K-pop boy band BTS has been referred to prosecutors without detention on charges of drunk driving, police in Yongsan, Seoul, said on Friday.
The singer's driver's license was revoked last month due to a blood alcohol concentration level exceeding 0.2 percent.
The 31-year-old, who is currently fulfilling his mandatory military service with a public-sector desk job, was found riding an electric scooter under the influence near his residence in Seoul earlier this month. A police officer discovered him after he fell while trying to use the scooter’s kickstand. Both Suga and his agency, Big Hit Music, have issued public apologies for the incident.
According to police, Suga's case was forwarded to the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office a week after he was summoned for investigation on Aug. 23, during which he admitted to the charges.
Under relevant laws in Korea, a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher results in license revocation and a possible sentence of one to two years in prison, or a fine ranging from 5 million to 10 million Korean won. If the concentration exceeds 0.2 percent, penalties increase to a prison term of two to five years or a fine between 10 million and 20 million won.
The incident has sparked mixed reactions among BTS fans, with some calling for Suga to leave the group due to his actions, while others believe he should remain as long as he faces appropriate legal consequences.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
