Drugs Are Not Tteokbokki or Gimbap... They Are a Crime

Members of a university student union club who were prosecuted on charges of distributing and inhaling drugs. Photo by Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office

"College Students Hold Drug Parties in Luxury Hotel Rooms"

Do you remember the incident that shocked the entire nation last summer? Fourteen college students were caught by prosecutors for distributing and using drugs through a prestigious university student club. The president of this club, identified as Mr. Yeom (31), is accused of recruiting about 300 members in a short period by hosting lavish drinking parties with drug sales profits and using drugs together with the members.

On the 4th, Mr. Yeom (31), the club president who was put on trial for purchasing and using drugs, partially admitted to the charges. On the morning of the 4th, the 14th Criminal Division of the Seoul Southern District Court (Presiding Judge Jang Sunghoon) held the second hearing for Mr. Yeom, who was indicted on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act (psychotropic drugs, cannabis). Yeom's attorney stated, "We admit to all charges regarding drug use and sales and deeply regret the actions. We ask for leniency, as it was only done through a small number of acquaintances," but also requested dismissal of the indictment, arguing, "In certain cases, the prosecutor is not authorized to initiate an investigation."

623 Smuggling Cases Detected This Year... 'Cannabis' Most Common

(Photo from left) 1. On January 8, the detention period of a current plastic surgeon suspected of providing drugs in the past to a female manager of an entertainment establishment involved in the "celebrity drug" case was extended by ten days. 2. On September 12, a video uploaded to the "Korea National Police Agency" showed a driver under the influence of drugs speeding on the road. 3. On the 19th of last month, a man who fell asleep in an electrical wiring box while intoxicated with drugs after using counterfeit bills was caught by the police.

(Photo from left) 1. On January 8, the detention period of a current plastic surgeon suspected of providing drugs in the past to a female manager of an entertainment establishment involved in the "celebrity drug" case was extended by ten days. 2. On September 12, a video uploaded to the "Korea National Police Agency" showed a driver under the influence of drugs speeding on the road. 3. On the 19th of last month, a man who fell asleep in an electrical wiring box while intoxicated with drugs after using counterfeit bills was caught by the police.

Is it only college students? A famous plastic surgeon was arrested for providing drugs to a nightclub manager, and a driver under the influence of drugs sped down the road. A man who used counterfeit bills and then fell asleep in an electrical wiring box while high on drugs was also caught by the police. All of these incidents happened this year.

Recent drug smuggling statistics released by the Korea Customs Service show that the entire nation is exposed to the temptation of drugs. According to the Korea Customs Service on the 4th, there were 623 attempts to smuggle drugs detected at the border from January to September this year. The total weight of the drugs attempted to be smuggled was 574 kg, enough for 19 million people (assuming a single dose of methamphetamine is 0.03g) to use simultaneously. On average, about two cases and 2.1 kg of drugs were caught at the border each day. Compared to January to September last year, the number of cases increased by 24% and the total weight by 16%.

The trend of increasing drug smuggling is also clear in the total weight detected in the first to third quarters by year: 134 kg in 2020, 292 kg in 2021, 383 kg in 2022, and 496 kg last year. In 2021, the total weight of smuggled drugs detected was 694 kg, but the Korea Customs Service excluded 402 kg of methamphetamine (caught while transiting Korea) from the final tally as it was considered an outlier.

This year, the main drug smuggling routes by number of cases were: ▲International mail 319 cases (up 51% from the previous year) ▲Express cargo 156 cases (25%) ▲Travelers 141 cases (23%) ▲Other routes 7 cases (1%). By weight, the order was: ▲Express cargo 272 kg (up 47% from the previous year) ▲International mail 145 kg (25%) ▲Travelers 95 kg (17%) ▲Other routes 62 kg (11%).

The main types of drugs detected (by weight) were methamphetamine (154 kg, 122 cases), cocaine (62 kg, 6 cases), cannabis (46 kg, 172 cases), and ketamine (33 kg, 51 cases). The main countries of origin (by weight) were Thailand with 233 kg (110 cases), followed by the United States 110 kg (137 cases), Mexico 29 kg (2 cases), Malaysia 26 kg (13 cases), Canada 25 kg (16 cases), and the Netherlands 22 kg (26 cases).

President Yoon: "Increase Related Budget by Over 20%... Strengthen Crackdown"

Hanmin, Director of the Investigation Bureau at the Korea Customs Service, stated, "Last year, the total number of drug offenders detected domestically was about 27,000, a sharp increase from previous years," and pointed out, "As the demand for drugs remains steady, attempts to smuggle drugs are expected to continue."

Prime Minister Han Ducksoo is delivering the policy speech on the 2025 budget proposal and fund management plan on behalf of President Yoon Sukyeol at the plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 4th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

President Yoon Sukyeol is also seriously concerned about drug-related crimes. In a policy speech at the National Assembly on the 4th, delivered by Prime Minister Han Ducksoo on his behalf, President Yoon said, "To eradicate drug crimes that are spreading even among young people, we have increased the related budget by more than 20% compared to this year," and added, "We will not only strengthen crackdowns, but also actively support treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention. We will expand advanced detection equipment and strengthen international cooperation to block drug inflow at the source."