ARMYs Question Korean Media And Police’s Possible Regulation Flouting In BTS Suga’s DUI Investigation
The police investigation into Suga’s drunk driving incident has now ended.
On August 23, KST, BTS member Suga appeared at the Yongsan Police Station for questioning in relation to his recent drunk-driving incident. The rapper was previously caught driving an electric scooter while drunk on August 6, 2024.
During Suga’s appearance, major news outlets were seen camped outside the precinct building. Some reporters even followed him to the main gate, asking multiple questions about the incident. Suga paused briefly in front of the press to apologize and promised to cooperate diligently with the investigation.
After local media outlets released footage of Suga’s arrival, ARMYs took to social media, questioning how the media was allowed to interact with Suga at the police station in this way. Some claimed that the rapper was forced to walk through a media lineup outside the station, which is against regulations.
How is this allowed ?? wtf is going on with that country pic.twitter.com/HS5qrSLKwe
— Min yoongi is mina's world (@Mina_yoonie) August 22, 2024
this is a photo line. pretending it's anything but is stupid. the police has a clear directive to prohibit this. their failure to do so is just as disgusting as the vulturous media. https://t.co/XMyf4K5cPZ
— 🎼p a b o⁷🎼 (@aegyoeobta) August 22, 2024
what gets me is that this is supposed to be illegal so technically these reporters are committing a CRIME in front of the police station with no intervention or punishment.. these are the same ppl harassing yoongi for riding a kickboard at snail speed for less than 2 minutes https://t.co/EcECyYqPJO
— 𖨆 (@fanciIab) August 22, 2024
When it comes to police investigations, South Korea does have multiple regulations in place to protect the sanctity of the investigation itself, as well as the personal rights of the individuals involved in a case. “Regulations on Public Information Regarding Police Investigations and Related Cases” provide multiple guidelines for the police to follow for all investigative processes. Article 15 (“Prohibition on Disclosure of Attendance Information of Individuals Involved in a Case”) stipulates that the police cannot disclose any information about the arrival, departure, or transportation of individuals involved in a case when they appear for summons.
The head of a police station must not disclose information regarding the time, place, or details related to the attendance, departure, or transportation of individuals involved in a case.
— Article 15
Article 16 (“Prohibition on Filming of Investigative Processes”) also entrusts the police with the responsibility of prohibiting the media from exposing the involved parties in the investigation to ensure safety.
The head of a police station must prohibit the filming, recording, or broadcasting of investigative processes, including attendance, investigation, seizure and search, arrest, and detention, by the media or other individuals. However, if it is unavoidable that such processes are filmed, recorded, or broadcasted, measures must be taken to prevent the exposure of individuals involved in the case and to avoid any disruption to the investigation while ensuring safety.
— Article 16
While fans have raised these concerns regarding Suga’s investigation, neither of the accused parties has addressed them as of yet. Meanwhile, you can read more about the case below:
