'War on Drugs' Two Months Later, Namyang Dairy Grandson Indicted... Han Dong-hoon Targets Third-Generation Chaebol (Summary)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The prosecution is reportedly accelerating its investigation after detecting habitual drug use among the children of wealthy families, including third-generation chaebols, drawing attention to the outcome. There are also predictions that a 'Third-generation Chaebol Drug Scandal' will erupt.

It is seen as a major case caught just two months after Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon declared a "war on drugs" to the prosecution, raising expectations that this could serve as a stepping stone for a large-scale crackdown on drug crimes by the prosecution.

Prosecutor's flag hanging in front of the Central District Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-dong, Seoul
[Photo by Yonhap News]

According to the legal community on the 2nd, the Violent Crimes Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Shin Junho) indicted Hong Mo (40) last month on the 15th on charges of marijuana possession and habitual use (violation of the Narcotics Control Act). Hong is the son of Hong Woo-sik, president of Seoul Advertising Planning, and the grandson of the late Hong Doo-young, the honorary chairman and founder of Namyang Dairy Products. According to the prosecution, Hong is accused not only of using marijuana himself but also distributing it to acquaintances and international students and smoking it together. Among those who received and smoked marijuana from Hong were reportedly many third-generation family members of conglomerate heads, including those from H Corporation. The prosecution currently views about 10 individuals as accomplices of Hong and is investigating them, but the scope is expected to expand, potentially increasing that number.

The prosecution aims to conclude the case by mid-month. The legal community expects the prosecution to expand its war on drug crimes using this case as a catalyst, as the government has emphasized a strict response to drug offenses.

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon [Image source=Yonhap News]

Last October, Minister Han instructed the Supreme Prosecutors' Office to "protect the public safely from drug crimes and swiftly restore South Korea's firm status as a drug-free country," ordering extraordinary measures. He also urged, "Do your best with the determination to fight a war." Specific measures requested of the prosecution included ▲restoring drug investigation capabilities ▲strengthening international cooperation ▲blocking drug smuggling and domestic distribution through agencies such as the Customs Service, National Intelligence Service, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and Korea Communications Commission ▲and cooperating with the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on treatment and rehabilitation for drug offenders.

According to data released by the Ministry of Justice, the number of drug offenders in the first half of this year was 8,575, a 13.4% increase compared to 7,562 in the same period last year. The number of drug supply offenders (smuggling, trafficking, manufacturing, etc.) in the first half of this year was 2,437, a 32.8% increase compared to the same period last year. The Ministry of Justice and the prosecution believe that drug crimes became rampant due to the restriction of the prosecution's direct investigative authority following amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act and the Prosecutors' Office Act. The prosecution's drug crime investigations became possible in August when the government amended the presidential decree, expanding the scope of corruption and economic crimes that the prosecution can directly investigate.

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