Police to confirm summoning schedule for investigation into Suga's DUI incident

Social Affairs

Police to confirm summoning schedule for investigation into Suga's DUI incident

Published: 19 Aug. 2024, 16:22 Updated: 19 Aug. 2024, 17:37

BTS member Suga [JOONGANG ILBO]

Police will confirm their summoning schedule for BTS's Suga by the end of the week as they conduct additional investigations into the singer’s DUI charges, according to a police official Monday.

"We are arranging the summoning schedule for Suga," a police officer told reporters during a press briefing held Monday morning in Seoul. "We will finalize the schedule within this week. It won't be on the weekend or at night."

The police will not set up a photo line where suspects stand before the press and answer questions. "All the same steps will be taken like regular suspects," the official said.

Suga was investigated for the first time on Aug. 6 for driving an electric scooter under the influence of alcohol in Yongsan District, central Seoul the same day.

Suga and his agency BigHit Music came under fire for allegedly minimizing the harm in the DUI case, stating that the singer was driving an electric stand-up scooter instead of a seated electric scooter in their apology the day after the accident. The agency later stated on Aug. 8 that it "will fully abide by the responsibilities depending on how authorities decide to categorize the vehicle."

“If such allegations indeed do exist, the investigation team will look into the matter,” said the police official, regarding the BTS agency's alleged attempt to downplay the crimes. “The allegations and the facts around the DUI will be investigated further.”

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 next year.

Suga’s blood alcohol level when he was caught driving under the influence 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.

BY KIM MIN-YOUNG [kim.minyoung5@joongang.co.kr]