Emergency in Drug Crimes... Seoul Cheong Considers Establishing Crackdown System Centered on Investigation Deputy Chief

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 7th that it is considering establishing a 'Comprehensive Narcotics Control System' led by a deputy commissioner-level investigation chief in response to the drug beverage incident in the Gangnam academy district.

Kim Kwang-ho, Chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated during his visit to the Seoul Police Narcotics Crime Investigation Unit, "We will create a task force led by the investigation chief to focus on investigating drug crimes, including club drugs and the 'throwing' method."

Chief Kim added, "Since the method of the crime is similar to voice phishing, we will also involve the Financial Crime Investigation Unit to thoroughly trace the background." Regarding additional measures to prevent further damage, he said, "School Police Officers (SPOs) are conducting preventive activities at each school, and riot police units are active in four academy-dense areas."

The day before, President Yoon Suk-yeol, upon hearing reports of the drug beverage incident in the Gangnam academy district, said, "It is shocking that drugs have penetrated even high school students," and instructed, "The prosecution and police must mobilize all investigative capabilities to root out the distribution and sales organizations of drugs and pursue the criminal proceeds to the end for recovery."

Following President Yoon's directive, the police transferred the case from the Gangnam Police Station to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Narcotics Crime Investigation Unit and are currently investigating.

Earlier, around 6 p.m. on the 3rd, near Gangnam-gu Office Station and Daechi Station in Seoul, a group claimed to be holding a tasting event for a beverage "good for memory and concentration enhancement" and gave the drink to high school students before threatening their parents. Among the four suspects who distributed the beverage in pairs at the scene, two surrendered, and the other two were apprehended through police pursuit. The police believe there is a mastermind behind the crime and are investigating.

So far, seven victims have reported harm from the 'drug beverage.'

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