On September 11, it was reported that the Criminal Division 2 of the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office (Chief Prosecutor Choo Hye-yoon) summarily indicted Suga, on suspicion of drunk driving, with a fine of 15 million won the day before.
Summary proceedings are proceedings in which the prosecution asks the court to impose fines and forfeitures in a summary order without a formal trial if the charges are relatively minor.
According to the penalty clause of the Traffic Law, drunk drivers with a blood alcohol content of 0.03 percent or more but less than 0.08 percent will be punished with up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 5 million won, while those with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or less will be punished with up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won.
At the time of detection, Sugar had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.227% and was heavily fined for exceeding the maximum standard.
Many in the legal community say the 15 million won (US$18,400) fine is the maximum amount a first-time repeat offender can receive. “The summary fine of 15 million won is the maximum amount for a first-time repeat offender,” said attorney Noh Jong-eon. “It appears to be a warning against drunk driving.”
Suga was charged with driving an electric scooter while intoxicated on the road in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, at 11:15 p.m. on June 6. Suga’s blood alcohol level was 0.227 percent, which exceeds the criteria for revoking his license (0.08 percent).
In his initial apology, Suga said he had “drank about a glass of beer,” but criticism mounted when his actual blood alcohol level was revealed. He also made excuses and explanations for how the accident occurred and described the “electric scooter” as an “electric kickboard,” sparking suspicions that he was lying.
Seventeen days after the incident, on the 23rd of last month, Suga went to the police and admitted the charges. “I will try not to misbehave anymore and to live with repentance,” Suga said. “I will receive criticism and reprimands, as well as future punishments.”
Source: daum
