[Drug State]⑥UNODC: "Transnational Criminal Organizations Target South Korea"

■ Chapter 1. Drugs Have Swept Across Our Society

Interview with UNODC Expert Panel
"Drug Supply Has Increased Due to Supply-Driven Market Expansion"
Drug Underground Economy Expansion Raises Concerns Over Corruption

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which leads the global fight against drug-related crimes, has warned that "transnational criminal groups are targeting high-income countries such as South Korea." UNODC analyzed that the increase in demand for drugs is the result of a strategy by criminal organizations to expand supply and increase the number of people exposed to drugs.

The Asia Business Daily requested a diagnosis from the UNODC to analyze the rapidly changing trends in domestic and international drug-related crimes. UNODC responded with an integrated analysis from an expert panel composed of crime analysts and policy strategists for the East Asia and Pacific regions. UNODC classified the drug crisis facing high-income countries in East Asia, including South Korea, as a "supply-driven market expansion," and expressed concern about the destructive impact it could have on the overall economy.

Drug Cartels Target High-Income Countries Like South Korea

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In response to a question about "the strategic shift of drug cartels targeting countries such as South Korea from a regional perspective," UNODC diagnosed, "What is being observed in the East Asian drug market today is not a sudden shift, but the result of steady accumulation over the past decade." They further stated, "Transnational criminal groups are targeting high-income countries such as South Korea," and added, "The sharply increased supply is a result of criminal organizations' strategies, and South Korea is being significantly affected."

The UNODC expert panel revealed that "drug supply in the Asian region is at an unprecedented level," citing that 236 tons of methamphetamine (philopon) were seized in East and Southeast Asian countries in 2024. Calculated at a single dose of 0.3 grams, this is equivalent to approximately 7.86 billion doses—enough for the entire global population to take simultaneously. This is an all-time high, and considering that this figure reflects only seizures, the actual supply is believed to be much greater, according to UNODC analysis.

UNODC pointed to online distribution as a key factor behind these changes. Drug production has become more flexible, and it has become easier for organizations to scale up their operations. The expert panel noted, "The emergence of an online crime ecosystem has greatly fragmented drug supply chains," and explained, "Sales on social platforms and transactions using cryptocurrency have reduced dependence on the traditional financial system while allowing access to a vast number of customers."

They specifically cited the "Park Wangyeol case" as an example, describing it as "a case that demonstrates how elements such as online coordination, decentralized distribution, and cross-border supply chains (Golden Triangle) that are difficult to detect and block can combine."

Drug Underground Economy Will Shake Economy and Governance

Monika Juma, the newly appointed Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) (center), is attending her first meeting on the 11th (local time) in Vienna, Austria. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

UNODC also issued a strong warning about the "underground economy" generated by drugs. When asked about "the risks and money-laundering issues that arise when criminal funds from drugs infiltrate the economy," UNODC responded, "It will pose a serious and long-term threat to economic soundness, governance, and the rule of law," and pointed out, "Laundered criminal proceeds distort fair market competition, foster corruption, and undermine trust in institutions."

A significant portion of drug-related crime is conducted using virtual assets. Criminal proceeds, which are difficult to trace, enter the real economy through simple laundering processes. UNODC expressed concern, stating, "This means that criminal organizations can exert influence over legitimate businesses or sectors of the economy," and warned, "As a result, criminal networks are not only able to preserve their illegal gains but are also empowered to reinvest them into further criminal activities."

In this context, UNODC emphasized the importance of expertise in "financial investigations" in drug crime investigations. This is because the use of anonymous channels such as Telegram and the dark web, as well as virtual asset transactions, is increasing in both drug trafficking and money laundering.

The importance of financial investigations was also emphasized at the 45th Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Asia and the Pacific (HONLAP). The expert panel asserted, "The most effective approach is to treat financial investigations as a routine and integral element of drug cases," adding, "It is essential to focus on tracking, freezing, confiscating, and recovering criminal proceeds, identifying the beneficial owners behind corporate structures, and improving prompt cross-border cooperation."

Individual Countries Cannot Cope Alone... Need to Strengthen Transnational Cooperation

The United Nations flag is fluttering at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Drug crimes that cross borders are already expanding their markets based on digital technology and rapidly dispersing their distribution networks. Investigations at the level of a single country have reached their limits, and international cooperation has become essential.

UNODC emphasized, "No country can independently draw a complete intelligence picture," and stressed, "A network (of international cooperation) is needed to defeat the criminal networks."

As a practical measure to strengthen transnational cooperation, UNODC proposed "drug profiling." This goes beyond simply tracking drug offenders and involves analyzing the "chemical fingerprints" of seized drugs—a highly advanced forensic method to track international distribution networks and manufacturing bases.

The expert panel explained, "The new initiative focuses on systematically collecting the physical and chemical characteristics of seized drugs and their packaging," and added, "By strengthening the forensic foundation, it will be possible to identify links between individual cases and facilitate joint operations against criminal networks."

Special Reporting Team | Jang Heejun, Oh Jieun, Park Hosu, Lee Jiyeh, Park Jaehyun

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