"Because the Flowers Are Beautiful" ... Pohang Fishing Village Residents Secretly Cultivating Poppies

On May 29, when the whole country experienced clear and early summer weather, poppy flowers were in full bloom at Yanghwa Hangang Park in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Dong-wook] The Pohang Maritime Police in Gyeongsangbuk-do announced on the 5th that they have booked without detention 12 residents of fishing villages in the Pohang area, including A (67), on charges of secretly cultivating poppies (violation of the Narcotics Control Act).

These residents are suspected of cultivating a total of 823 poppy plants in their home gardens in Cheongha-myeon, Buk-gu, from April to May. They are reportedly denying the charges, saying things like "I grew them because the flowers were pretty" and "I didn't know, but they were growing in the garden."

Poppies can have analgesic and sedative effects for stomach pain, bronchitis, and chronic enteritis, but they contain narcotic substances that can cause temporary amnesia, so private cultivation is prohibited. Violations are punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won.

A Pohang Maritime Police official stated, "Poppy cultivation is prohibited, and even poppies growing naturally on private property can be punished," adding, "We plan to conduct intensive crackdowns during the special narcotics offender crackdown period for poppies, hemp, and others until the end of next month."