[2022 National Audit] Foreign Drug Offenders Double in 5 Years... Increase in Assault and Rape After Drug Use Also Up

Lee Man-hee, a member of the People Power Party, is giving a proposal explanation on the partial amendment bill of the Special Act on the Establishment of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (alternative) at the plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 27th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The proportion of foreign drug offenders has doubled over the past five years.

According to data submitted by the National Police Agency on the 17th to Lee Man-hee, a member of the ruling party and the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee, the proportion of foreign drug offenders increased more than twofold from 7.1% in 2017 to 15.7% last year.

Among foreign nationals arrested for drug offenses, Thai nationals ranked first with 2,971 people (44.4%), followed by Chinese with 1,613 people (24.1%) and Vietnamese with 677 people (10.1%).

As the number of foreign drug offenders rapidly increases, secondary crimes following drug use, such as murder, also rose from 221 cases in 2018 to 230 cases last year. Among these, there were 87 cases of assault, 81 cases of rape, and even 9 cases of murder.

Rep. Lee said, "Drugs not only harm the user but also their acquaintances, family, and ultimately our society, and there is a very high possibility that they lead to secondary and tertiary crimes, so they must be eradicated." He added, "Systematic management and effective countermeasures against drug-related crimes are urgently needed."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.