Confusion over vehicle type in BTS Suga's DUI incident: Was it an electric scooter or a kickboard?

The recent drunk driving incident involving BTS member Suga has left many K-pop fans disheartened. 

On August 7, the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul revealed that Suga has been booked for violating the Road Traffic Act due to drunk driving. Suga was found fallen on the ground after riding an electric scooter while intoxicated in the Hannam-dong area of Yongsan District, Seoul.

The initial discovery was made by a police officer patrolling near the Presidential Office. The officer, upon noticing Suga lying on the ground, helped him up and detected the smell of alcohol, leading to Suga being handed over to a nearby police station.

Both Suga and BTS’s agency, Big Hit Music, have acknowledged the situation, but their responses, which seem to downplay the incident, have sparked controversy. In particular, the agency referred to the "scooter" Suga was riding as an "electric kickboard," which has further fueled the debate.

Suga explained, "After drinking at a dinner last night, I rode an electric kickboard home. I naively thought it was a short distance, not realizing that operating an electric kickboard while under the influence was illegal. Fortunately, no one was harmed, and no property was damaged."

Similarly, Big Hit Music stated, "Suga was wearing a helmet while riding an electric kickboard home. He fell after traveling about 500 meters while trying to park. Fortunately, there were no injuries or property damage caused by this incident."

The primary issue is the drunk driving itself. However, both Suga and Big Hit Music's emphasis on the lack of harm caused, and their efforts to downplay the incident, have been perceived as an attempt to portray it as a minor mishap. This has led to negative public reactions, with many viewing their statements as mere excuses.

Adding to the controversy is the terminology used by Suga and Big Hit Music, who referred to the personal electric vehicle as an "electric kickboard." Typically, the term "electric kickboard" refers to a type of vehicle without a seat. However, police informed the media that the model Suga was using had a seat, classifying it as an "electric scooter" under traffic laws.

If classified as an electric scooter, it is treated the same as a regular gasoline-powered scooter under the law, requiring a more rigorous investigation similar to that of a car accident. This could lead to additional penalties, including license revocation and further charges for violating traffic laws.

On the other hand, if the vehicle is recognized as an electric kickboard, Suga might only face a license cancellation and a fine of 100,000 KRW (about 85 USD). This distinction explains why Suga and Big Hit Music are reluctant to refer to it as a scooter.

This incident comes less than six months after the Kim Ho-joong case, reigniting public outrage over celebrities’ drunk driving. The incident has also tarnished the "exemplary military service" image that BTS members have built through their military achievements and promotions.

Suga is currently serving as a social service agent, having been assigned this role due to a shoulder injury he sustained in 2020. He began his service in March after entering the Nonsan Training Center and is expected to complete his service in June 2025.

The Military Manpower Administration commented on the situation, stating, "Since this incident occurred outside of working hours, it does not qualify as a conduct unbecoming of a social service agent." However, this has led to some discontent among active-duty soldiers.