Asian Junkie Asian pop. Without discretion.
After BIGHIT MUSIC apologized for making misleading statements about the drunk driving of an electric scooter by BTS’s Suga, police again threw more uncertainty in the mix by confirming that the vehicle he used is treated as a car and that he was significantly more drunk than he initially claimed to them.
The police stated that Suga was using an “electric scooter” that did not qualify as a “personal mobility device”, the latter of which have max speeds of 25 km/h and weigh less than 30 kg. What Suga was operating is considered more like a motorbike, and thus the criminal investigation will be done as a DUI as if it was a car or motorcycle.
“Suga was operating an electric scooter. After investigating the device, we have found that [the scooter model] is not included in the personal mobility device list.
Operating a personal mobility device would result in administrative measures. [Suga’s scooter] was not a personal mobility device. Therefore, he can be subject to criminal punishment for driving under the influence.”
Furthermore, police reportedly measured Suga’s blood alcohol content at 0.227%, which has typical impairments of amnesia, unconsciousness, and physical disability, and that seems to fit a guy who was spotted falling over. It’s over seven times higher than Korea’s limit of 0.03% and also goes against his reported testimony to police that he had one glass of beer.
In the most recent news report, the police stated to the media that after the officer in question had helped him up, Suga was brought to the nearest police station. There, Suga had complained about knee pain and claimed to have “only driven for a short while after having one glass of beer.”
Police have yet to decide on whether they will revoke his license, but the potential legal punishment for drunk driving with a BAC over 0.2% is a fine between 10 million won and 20 million won or 2-5 years in prison. Based on other DUI cases, his status, and being a first-time offender, he’s likely to just get a fine or something.
The real damage here is basically to his reputation and image. As mentioned before, getting a DUI is bad enough, but a reflection period can solve a lot, especially if he’s serving in the military and away from the spotlight. However, downplaying and/or lying about the type of vehicle, the status of the case (it’s obviously not resolved), and now the level of intoxication is not going to endear himself to anybody. And given the distortions to this point, I no longer think it’s unreasonable that people are asking if they also fudged the distance he was riding as well.
