Estimating the Impact of Corona Blue... Strengthening Monitoring
[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] Following the COVID-19 pandemic, drug transactions through social networking services (SNS) have surged, leading the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) to block over 10,000 online drug sales listings in the first half of this year.
The KCSC's Communications Review Subcommittee announced on the 28th that it has decided to request corrections for a total of 12,812 online listings related to drug sales or brokerage from January to June this year.
The number of correction requests for drug sales information was 8,130 in 2020, when COVID-19 began to spread, but more than doubled to 17,020 in 2021. In the first half of this year, it recorded 12,812 cases, showing an annual increase. The KCSC expects that the total correction requests for this year will exceed 20,000.
The KCSC stated, "Due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and the spread of anxiety and depression, known as 'Corona Blue,' non-face-to-face drug transactions online are increasing, so we are strengthening monitoring and response."
It added, "Under the 'Narcotics Control Act,' manufacturing and selling narcotics, as well as advertising or presenting such activities to others, are serious crimes punishable by up to three years in prison or fines up to 30 million won. Internet users are urged to remain vigilant."
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