A prosecutor’s office in Seoul has summarily indicted BTS member Suga for drunk driving stemming from an incident on Aug. 6.
On Sept. 10, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office announced that it filed a summary indictment or summary order against Suga, 31, who is accused of driving an electric scooter while intoxicated.
With the summary order, Suga will be fined and his case will not go to trial.
Summary order is a procedure in which the prosecution requests the court to impose a fine, penalty, or confiscation without a formal trial in cases where the charges are relatively light.
BTS' Suga at the Seoul Yongsan Police Station on Aug. 23 (Screenshot from Yonhap News TV video) 
CCTV footage showing BTS' Suga riding and falling from an electric scooter on Aug. 6 (Screenshots from TV Chosun video)
Prosecutors did not disclose the amount of the fine imposed on Suga, Korean media reported.
CCTV footage taken on Aug. 6 showed Suga riding an electric scooter on a sidewalk and falling down as he turned left to enter the main gate of Nine One Hannam luxury apartment complex in Hannam, Yongsan in Seoul. Three police officers who were patrolling the area appeared.
About summary orders, it is stated under Korea’s Criminal Procedure Act that "in a matter coming within its jurisdiction, a district court may, on a prosecutor's demand, impose a fine, minor fine, or confiscation upon the criminal defendant by a summary order without ordinary proceedings of trial. In the case of the preceding paragraph, additional collections and other accessory dispositions may be effected.”
The court handling Suga’s case will decide whether to accept the summary order filed by the prosecution or proceed with a trial.
“If it is considered that a case does not admit of a summary order being issued or that it is not proper to do so, trial shall be conducted in accordance with the ordinary proceedings,” according to Article 450 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
Article 451 of the law stated, “The facts constituting an offense, statutes applicable, the principal penalty, and auxiliary order, together with a statement that an application for formal trial may be made within seven days from the day of notification of the summary order, shall be clearly stated in the summary order.”
The Seoul Yongsan Police Station summoned Suga for questioning about the incident on Aug. 23. The police station sent Suga’s case to the prosecution on Aug. 30.
On Aug. 25, Suga issued a handwritten apology on the Weverse app, saying, “I would like to apologize to you again with a shameful heart.”
“I deeply apologize for disappointing and hurting my fans and everyone who loves me with my wrongdoings. I forgot my sense of responsibility to repay the love I've received and made a big mistake,” he said.
He said, “On the night of August 6, I made the mistake of riding an electric scooter on the sidewalk after drinking. I also apologize for the confusion caused by my first apology that I hastily uploaded on the 7th. I should have thought more deeply and been more careful, but I didn't.”
“It's all my fault. My carelessness is making it difficult for everyone who cares about me. I will try not to make the wrongdoings again and live my life repenting,” he said.
According to him, “I will gladly accept any punishment that is given in the future, as well as criticism and reprimands. Lastly, I once again bow my head in sincerity and apologize for causing social controversy and disappointing many people.”
Suga is currently fulfilling his military service as a social service agent (social service personnel). He enlisted on Sept. 22 last year and will be discharged on June 21, 2025.
Meanwhile, the Global ARMY Union issued a statement saying, “The Global ARMY Alliance supports all seven members of BTS,” adding that it “does not ask BTS members to take any more responsibility than legally required.”
Here is their statement:
The statement from the Global ARMY Union (Photo from ARMY Cavite Fanbase's X account)