[Why&Next]① From Chaebols to Teenagers... Drugs Spread in Everyday Life

Yoon's 'War on Drugs' Background
Easy Distribution via SNS... Drug Offenders' Age Groups
Inter-Ministerial Council Accelerates 'Drug Measures'

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] #A man in his 20s who secretly fed his acquaintances Sriracha sauce containing drugs was sentenced to a suspended prison term in the first trial. It was revealed that this man purchased drugs online, used them several times, and gave Sriracha sauce mixed with drugs to friends who visited his home, having them sprinkle it on snacks.

#The Seoul Central District Court recently sentenced Hong Mo (40), who was arrested and indicted on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act (marijuana), to 10 months in prison with a 2-year suspension. He was also ordered to pay a fine of 3.1 million won and attend 40 hours of drug treatment lectures. Hong is the grandson of the late Hong Jong-yeol, founder of the mid-sized steel company Korea Steel, and was tried on charges of smoking marijuana. He is known to have given marijuana he possessed free of charge to Cho Mo (40), a third-generation member of the Hyosung family, three times without compensation. During the investigation of Cho, the prosecution indicted 17 marijuana offenders (10 detained, 7 not detained), including Hong Mo (40), grandson of the founder of Namyang Dairy Products, and Lim Mo (38), son-in-law of the former chairman of JB Financial Group. The group included second- and third-generation conglomerate and mid-sized company heirs, as well as entertainment agency representatives and singers with U.S. citizenship.

Our country, once a ‘drug-free nation,’ is now boiling with drug cases involving influential figures such as conglomerate families and celebrities. Over the past three years, more than 10,000 drug offenders have been reported annually, with youth drug crimes increasing sharply each year. As drugs spread like a poisonous mushroom in everyday life, the risk level has reached a point that could shake social safety. This is the background behind President Yoon Suk-yeol’s declaration of a ‘war on drugs.’

According to government ministries on the 8th, new types of drug cases continue unabated, such as obtaining drugs through social media (SNS) and online platforms or distributing drugs via overseas direct purchases. Instead of distributing drugs through large organizations, cases of easily accessing drugs through the web are increasing.

According to the Korea Communications Standards Commission, the number of ‘drug transaction information (requests for correction)’ involving psychotropic drugs, marijuana, and temporary narcotics online last year was 26,013 cases. This is an increase of 8,993 cases (52.8%) compared to 17,020 cases in 2021. The number of arrests for drug offenses through the internet also rose by 25%, from 2,545 cases in the previous year to 3,092 cases last year. The means and routes to access drugs are becoming more diversified.

In fact, since 2015, the number of drug offenders has consistently hovered around 10,000 annually. According to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office drug crackdown data, 18,050 drug offenders were caught in 2020, and 16,153 last year. From January to September this year, 13,708 drug offenders were detected. Among them, those in their teens to 30s accounted for more than 60%. Approximately 1 in every 2.7 people (18.85 million) has experience being prescribed medical narcotics.

The more serious problem is that the age at which people first encounter drugs is getting younger, reaching the teenage years. The number of drug offenders in their 20s increased from 3,521 in 2019 to 4,493 in 2020, and rose to 5,077 last year. For those under 19, the number increased from 239 to 313, then to 450 over three years, a 44% increase.

Drug smuggling and distribution are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and prices have become cheaper. This is the background behind President Yoon’s declaration of a ‘war on drugs’ since taking office. At the year-end national task review meeting last year, President Yoon said, “About 10 years ago, our country was a drug-free nation,” and added, “At some point, the prosecution let go, and the police had to bear all the burden, so I think efficiency in information and investigation cooperation declined.” He continued, “The fact that drug prices are falling means the state has not cracked down,” and called it “a somewhat embarrassing story,” urging the Ministry of Justice to restore the status of a ‘drug-free nation.’

Accordingly, the government plans to strengthen inter-agency response and cooperation by establishing the ‘Narcotics Control Council,’ a pan-governmental meeting body. In addition to the 11 ministries’ council, the government formed six regional ‘Drug Crime Working Groups’ involving the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, Customs Service, National Police Agency, and Coast Guard to build a cooperative drug investigation system. Separately, at the end of last year, a ‘Narcotics Prevention, Treatment, and Social Rehabilitation Council’ was formed with participation from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, and the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office.

The Office for Government Policy Coordination plans to hold regular narcotics control council meetings to review the progress of comprehensive narcotics management measures. In particular, the designation period for temporary narcotics will be shortened from the existing 52 days to around 40 days to promptly implement detailed action plans in response to environmental changes such as the occurrence of narcotics crimes.