New CCTV footage showing Suga's fall from his scooter debunks earlier claims

Social Affairs

New CCTV footage showing Suga's fall from his scooter debunks earlier claims

Published: 15 Aug. 2024, 16:44 Updated: 15 Aug. 2024, 19:07

LEE SOO-JUNG
lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr

BTS member Suga, whose legal name is Min Yoon-gi, falls off a seated electric scooter in front of the main gate of the Nine One Hannam complex in Yongsan, central Seoul on Aug. 6. The video clip was obtained by a Korean local newspaper, the Dong-A Ilbo. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

New CCTV footage released by local media appears to reveal how and where BTS member Suga drove and fell off an electric scooter while under the influence of alcohol.

The new clip obtained by the Dong-A Ilbo on Wednesday revealed that Suga fell from his seated scooter while turning left on a sidewalk to enter the main gate of the Nine One Hannam complex in Yongsan District in central Seoul at around 11:10 p.m. on Aug. 6.

Suga passed by three patrolling police officers a few seconds before losing his balance on the scooter, according to the footage.

The officers spotted the singer, whose legal name is Min Yoon-gi, picking up his helmet after he had fallen off the scooter, approaching him and conducting a sobriety test.

According to the report, Min’s blood alcohol level was 0.227 percent, high enough to qualify for a revocation of his driver’s license — a punishment imposed from a threshold of 0.08 percent.

Police said Min had dinner and drank with acquaintances in a restaurant near a Hannam five-way intersection at around 9 p.m. on Aug. 6. They then went to Min’s private studio and continued drinking.

At around 11 p.m., Min headed back to his residence riding the electric scooter, police said. Min’s studio is reported to be some 500 meters (547 yards) away from the Nine One Hannam complex.

The new footage found out that previous coverage from local cable news channel JTBC contained misreporting.

On Aug. 7, JTBC aired a footage showing a person who was seemingly driving an electric scooter toward Namsan on the opposite side of the street from the Nine One complex. The newly released footage from the Dong-A Ilbo on Wednesday showed that Min was riding the scooter on the same side of the road as the apartment complex, and also appeared to disprove claims that Min fell off after crashing into a curb stone.

Three police officers are seen approaching Min Yoon-gi, known by his stage name Suga, in Yongsan District, central Seoul on Aug. 6. The video clip was released by local newspaper Dong-A Ilbo on Wednesday. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

According to a report from Yonhap News Agency on Wednesday, officers did not recognize Min and instructed him to go home as he was intoxicated. The officers did not confiscate the scooter.

The Seoul Yongsan Police Precinct charged Min with drunk-driving on Aug. 7. The precinct added that it is scheduling specific dates to question Min.

The singer is currently fulfilling his mandatory military service as a social service agent, a role that typically involves a regular daily work schedule, allowing him to return home after work hours. The BTS member is scheduled to complete his service in June of next year.

BY LEE SOO-JUNG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]