JTBC’s “Newsroom” issued a formal apology during its August 16 broadcast for a previous report that contained incorrect information regarding BTS member Suga’s electric scooter accident.
On August 7, the media outlet aired a CCTV footage, claiming it showed Suga driving a personal mobility device under the influence of alcohol and being caught by the police. The video depicted an individual riding an electric scooter on a road in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
However, after the broadcast, it was confirmed that the person in the CCTV footage was not Suga. The individual in the video was driving in a different direction from where Suga was headed. As the controversy grew, JTBC removed the video from its official channels and YouTube, making it private.
The incorrect report led to widespread controversy, prompting backlash from BTS fans, who demanded an apology from “Newsroom” for the false information.
In response to the situation, “Newsroom” acknowledged the mistake and issued an apology. Anchor Choi Jae-won stated at the end of the broadcast, “On August 7, we reported on BTS member Suga’s DUI accident. We broadcasted CCTV footage of a man riding an electric scooter on a major road, but police investigations have since confirmed that the man in the video was not Suga. We apologize for the confusion this has caused.”
Earlier, on the night of August 6, Suga was involved in an accident while riding his electric scooter home under the influence of alcohol. According to his agency, BigHit Music, Suga was fined and had his license revoked after a breathalyzer test conducted by nearby police officers.
BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
