[Exclusive] Yoon's First Directive on 'Drug Response'... "Please Also Focus on Rehabilitation of Addicts"

Report on 'Youth Drug Situation' in Closed Cabinet Meeting Discussion
"Ministry of Justice and Related Agencies to Cooperate and Develop Response Measures" Ordered
Presidential Office: "Will Review Various Measures Including International Cooperation to Respond"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Baek Kyunghwan and Lee Gimin] President Yoon Seok-yeol has instructed the establishment of a government-wide response plan to combat drugs. This is the first time President Yoon has publicly issued directives regarding drug measures, reflecting growing social concerns over recent drug-related crimes. In addition to punishment for drug offenders, President Yoon directly mentioned 'addict rehabilitation' and urged all ministries to develop a comprehensive management plan covering both punishment and rehabilitation.

According to the Presidential Office and government ministries on the 12th, President Yoon received a report on the 'drug situation among youth' from Oh Yu-kyung, Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, during a Cabinet meeting focused on youth policies the previous day. He said, "Judicial punishment of drug offenders is important, but addict rehabilitation is also crucial," conveying this request. A Presidential Office official stated, "As drug problems are becoming significant social and economic issues and their spread is noticeable, all related ministries are urged to prepare management plans," adding, "This is part of the national agenda to eradicate serious social crimes, and detailed measures will be developed accordingly."

The reason President Yoon emphasized rehabilitation alongside punishment is due to the high recidivism rate among drug offenders. According to statistics from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, the recidivism rates for drug offenders were 36.3% in 2017, 36.6% in 2018, and 35.6% in 2019. In 2020, the rate of re-arrest within three years among drug recidivists was found to exceed 80%. Consequently, since drug offenders have a high risk of reoffending, the approach is to prepare measures that meet public expectations and reduce recidivism through rehabilitation.

He also called for a government-wide response. Considering some participants' opinions that strengthening fundamental punishment should come first, President Yoon urged, "The Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health and Welfare, and other related ministries should cooperate and prepare response plans." A government official who attended the Cabinet meeting said, "The intention was not to establish separate measures for punishment and rehabilitation, but for the Ministry of Justice, police, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Ministry of Health and Welfare, and others to jointly create policies linking distribution control, punishment, rehabilitation, and addict treatment," adding, "Rapid responses through task forces (TF) are expected."

Related ministries plan to first share and review the results of the 'Safety Management Measures in Response to Changes in the Misuse Environment of Narcotics,' which the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety recently completed internally. Since there were instructions regarding pre- and post-measures for drug offenders, the aim is to analyze all causes. This study reportedly includes a comprehensive analysis of the current status of narcotic analgesic prescriptions, reasons for changes in prescriptions, causes of usage increase or decrease by age group, and changes in perception. The Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Health and Welfare are also expected to discuss expanding the National Forensic Hospital and increasing medical staff to treat drug addiction.

Inside the Presidential Office, it has been confirmed that a proactive response plan titled 'Blocking Inflow through International Cooperation' is also being prepared. The biggest cause is the nearly 18-fold increase in drug smuggling seizures by the Korea Customs Service, from 69.1 kg in 2017 to 1,272.5 kg last year. By smuggling route, seizures through import-export cargo (1,285.8 kg) were the highest, followed by international mail (329.9 kg), express cargo (290.1 kg), air travelers (351.8 kg), and sea travelers (6.6 kg). This indicates that drugs entering the country by evading inspections are not being blocked in advance.

'International cooperation' is also an issue President Yoon emphasized during his tenure as Prosecutor General. In 2019, he attended the International Cooperation Conference on Drug Control (ADLOMICO) and stated, "International drug organizations distribute drugs worldwide to evade crackdowns, and especially with the development of the internet and social media, drugs are rapidly spreading to various social strata," adding, "We are striving to block drug inflow into Korea through establishing specialized drug investigation teams and dispatching investigators, but it is difficult for a single country alone. To effectively respond to borderless drug crimes, close cooperation and a continuously operating network among countries are essential." A senior Presidential Office official said, "Each ministry will proactively prepare budgets and policies," adding, "Rather than a punishment-focused message of war on drugs, efforts will be made to develop measures for pre- and post-management."