Itaewon to Attract 300,000 on Halloween... Storm Before the Calm Amid Club-Related Drug Warning

Merchants on Edge Amid Repeated Drug Use Incidents
Behavior Guidelines Shared on SNS for Clubs Around Halloween
Beware of 'Pongdang Drugs' Mixed in Candy-Shaped Processed Drugs or Drinks

[Asia Economy Reporter Bang Je-il] Ahead of Halloween Day, a 'drug warning' has been issued in the Itaewon area of Yongsan-gu, Seoul. As a large crowd is expected to gather around the Itaewon clubs, there are concerns among citizens, merchants, and police about the spread of so-called 'pongdang drugs'?drugs disguised as candy or secretly mixed into drinks.

First, citizens planning to enjoy Halloween after three years are sharing behavioral guidelines for clubs around Halloween. On a women's university online community, a post titled "Never drink alcohol given by strangers even if you go to a club" has recently been shared widely on social networking services (SNS).

Merchants near Itaewon are also on alert, fearing drug use incidents might occur amid the crowds. Merchants in Itaewon Eungeun are voluntarily taking measures such as strengthening CCTV installation to prepare for any unforeseen incidents, but it remains difficult to respond to drugs used secretly.

This year, with the Halloween festival resuming after three years, nearly 300,000 people are expected to gather, raising police vigilance. The Seoul Yongsan Police Station, which has jurisdiction, plans to respond with full force during Halloween Day.

Additionally, the Seoul Yongsan Police Station plans to strengthen security activities in the Itaewon Tourism Special Zone until the 31st. About 200 officers, including around 10 detectives specializing in drug cases, will be on standby to respond to on-site reports after analyzing crime-prone locations. Night patrol teams from nearby police substations and precincts adjacent to Itaewon will also increase personnel by 1.5 times compared to usual.

Meanwhile, not only in Korea but also in the United States, authorities are issuing warnings ahead of Halloween Day, as pills suspected to be drugs have spilled out of candy bags while children in costume go door-to-door collecting candy.

In the U.S., 'drug candy' incidents occur every Halloween. At a Halloween event held in Wisconsin in 2017, a bag containing methamphetamine was found in a candy basket collected by children. In 2018 in the UK, drugs suspected to be ecstasy were found in the baskets of two sisters aged 2 and 5 who went trick-or-treating for Halloween.

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