23,403 drug offenders arrested last year

A quarter caught via online platforms

3rd consecutive year arrests topped 20,000

Smuggled drugs up 300% from prior year

Officials from the Joint Drug Crime Investigation Headquarters hold a briefing. [Yonhap]
Officials from the Joint Drug Crime Investigation Headquarters hold a briefing. [Yonhap]

By Kim A-rin, The Herald Business

Nearly 3,000 kilograms of narcotics were intercepted at South Korea's borders in the 10 months since the Lee Jae Myung administration took office, setting a record for the same period. Authorities flagged more than 1,100 smuggling attempts at ports of entry, yet the overall flow of drugs into the country continues to accelerate.

The Office for Government Policy Coordination and related ministries released a joint report on major anti-drug achievements Sunday. Border seizures from last June through April totaled 1,181 cases and 3,233 kilograms — the highest on record for any comparable 10-month period and a 307 percent increase by weight over the same stretch a year earlier. During that period, 129 drug offenders were caught attempting to bring narcotics in by sea, and authorities confiscated 9,121 poppy plants alone.

Meanwhile, 23,403 drug offenders were arrested last year, marking the third consecutive year that annual arrests have exceeded 20,000 since the figure hit 27,611 in 2023. About a quarter of those arrested were caught through social media, the dark web or other online channels, underscoring the spread of drug crime targeting young people online.

The government has concentrated its enforcement efforts by pooling narcotics investigators from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, the Korean National Police Agency, the Korea Coast Guard and the Korea Customs Service into a Joint Drug Crime Investigation Headquarters.

In December last year, the government launched a special task force on transnational crime. Investigations have continued to focus on overseas-based drug networks, including the repatriation from the Philippines of Park Wang-yeol, a major supplier accused of distributing narcotics into South Korea on a large scale.

To block smuggling, authorities introduced a dual-inspection system for international parcels that have already cleared a first check at airports and seaports, subjecting them to a second screening within the logistics network. Investigators were also given authority to conduct undercover operations, allowing them to infiltrate online drug networks without revealing their identities.

On the rehabilitation and prevention side, the government expanded the number of correctional facilities running drug rehabilitation programs from four to six nationwide. School-assigned police officers have also begun conducting grade-specific prevention education.

Yoon Chang-ryeol, head of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, said the results were achieved through collaboration across all related ministries, not any single agency. "There is still much work ahead — strengthening enforcement against smuggling and other illegal distribution, and deepening our rehabilitation and prevention regime," he said. "We will maintain our vigilance and continue a strong pan-government response."


arin@heraldcorp.com