Will Suga could go to jail for drunk driving?
On August 6, Suga was stopped by the police while riding an e-scooter under the influence, and the police found that he had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.227 percent. This incident has left many members of BTS’s dedicated fanbase, Army, disappointed. At the same time, a large portion of them acknowledge that what Suga did was wrong but feel he’s being treated too harshly. So, what does the law say about this situation? Will Suga go to jail?
Suga’s drunk driving has sparked a significant public backlash in the country. Some fans even protested further by sending wreaths to Hybe’s headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, demanding that Suga leave the group. The wreaths carried messages such as “Min Yoon-gi, leave,” “You let go of our hands first,” and “Resign before you face the press.” As an idol expected to lead an exemplary life and represent Korea, this situation may cause legal challenges for Suga.
Will Suga go to Jail?
One of the most important factors in determining whether Suga will go to jail is the type of vehicle he was driving. After being taken to the police station, Suga explained that he was riding an e-scooter. However, the Yongsan Police Station in the South Korean capital, Seoul, stated that he was not using an e-scooter but rather a vehicle similar to a moped, which has a seat. They clarified that the vehicle Suga was driving does not qualify as an e-scooter.
The type of vehicle he was driving is very important because, in South Korea, the severity of the penalty varies depending on the vehicle. A scooter with a seat is classified as a car, and therefore, the penalties can be very different compared to those for an e-scooter. If the driver of the vehicle Suga was using is found to be driving under the influence, their license may be revoked, they could be prosecuted, and they may face a fine or even imprisonment. However, if the vehicle in question is an ordinary e-scooter, the driver would only have to pay a small fine and may have their license revoked.
According to South Korean laws, Suga could go to jail.
What is the Yoon Chang-ho Act?
One of the reasons BTS Suga’s drunk driving has become so significant is, because Suga is a globally recognized idol, with a fanbase largely consisting of young people, which has drawn the world’s attention to South Korea. Another reason is the Yoon Chang-ho Act.
The Yoon Chang-ho Act is a law in South Korea that was enacted to strengthen penalties for drunk driving offenses. It was named after Yoon Chang-ho, a young man who tragically died after being hit by a drunk driver in 2018. His death sparked public outrage and led to calls for stricter laws on drunk driving.
The Act includes harsher punishments for those caught driving under the influence, including longer prison sentences and higher fines. It also lowered the legal blood alcohol concentration limit from 0.05% to 0.03%. The law reflects South Korea’s strong stance against drunk driving, aiming to prevent similar tragedies and improve road safety.
It is not yet clear what kind of sentence Suga will receive. We will inform you about the sentence that Suga will receive from the prosecution in the coming days.
