A police investigation is imminent for BTS member Suga, who is accused of drunk driving on an electric scooter.
A spokesperson for the National Police Agency stated during a regular press briefing on the 19th,
"The investigation has not yet been conducted, and we are coordinating the schedule with Suga's team. We will thoroughly investigate the circumstances and any related suspicions."
The police added, "We plan to finalize the schedule within this week and will not summon him on weekends or at night."
Suga was involved in an incident on the 6th of this month when he fell while riding an electric scooter in Hannam-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul, under the influence of alcohol.
He was discovered by patrolling officers, who conducted a breathalyzer test on the scene. His blood alcohol level was found to be 0.227%, far exceeding the 0.08% threshold for license revocation, leading to his arrest on charges of violating the Road Traffic Act (drunk driving).
Initially, Suga mentioned he was riding an "electric kickboard," but it was later revealed to be an "electric scooter," leading to allegations of an attempted cover-up.
The police stated, "If there are such issues, the investigation team will look into them," and promised to resolve any doubts through the investigation.
The police emphasized that Suga will be treated according to the same standards as other suspects, and no special arrangements will be made for a photo line.
However, due to Suga's fame, a large number of reporters are expected to gather.
Suga issued an apology the day after the incident, stating, "It is entirely my responsibility, and I sincerely apologize to everyone."
However, as the controversy over alleged false explanations continued, some BTS fans protested in front of the HYBE headquarters in Yongsan District, Seoul, demanding Suga's departure from the group through protests and truck demonstrations.
This incident has sparked discussions about the social responsibility of global stars and the influence of K-pop idols. There is significant interest in the outcome of the police investigation, the severity of Suga's punishment, and the potential impact on BTS and the broader K-pop industry.