Fentanyl, Second Mention of Korea
Purpose to Block Inflow via Overseas Ships

The President of Mexico, along with China, has requested support from the South Korean government to curb the 'zombie drug' fentanyl. There is a growing consensus that not only China, known as a source of fentanyl raw materials, but also South Korea is part of the 'fentanyl supply chain.'

On the 31st (local time), Mexican President Andr?s Manuel L?pez Obrador stated at a regular press conference, as reported by Yonhap News Agency, "We have requested cooperation from Asian countries regarding the situation where fentanyl raw materials are coming from Asia."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President L?pez Obrador specifically mentioned "not only China but also other Asian countries including South Korea," emphasizing, "We will ask the South Korean government and others to provide information on who obtained these raw materials, where they came from, and where they are going."

This is not the first time the Mexican government has linked South Korea to the fentanyl issue. At a press conference on the 26th of last month, President L?pez Obrador referred to newly discovered fentanyl substances found in cargo on a ship that passed through Valencia, Spain, describing it as "Korean fentanyl."

No additional details were provided about the ship's initial port of departure. The type of cargo or the quantity of fentanyl substances detected was also not disclosed.

On the 5th, the Mexican government announced the seizure of fentanyl raw materials from cargo originating in China, mentioning, "The ship passed through Busan, but the problematic cargo was not handled in South Korea."

Chinese Embassy in Mexico Issues Separate Statement Calling It a 'Distortion of Facts'

In response to these remarks, the Chinese Embassy in Mexico issued a separate statement claiming that the facts were distorted.

President L?pez Obrador added, "We do not want to blame anyone," and noted that efforts to block fentanyl manufacturing facilities within Mexico are being strengthened. He also expressed hope for a resolution, saying, "Regardless of ideological or diplomatic issues, we believe an international agreement to eradicate fentanyl can be reached."

Fentanyl is a narcotic analgesic developed by the Belgian pharmaceutical company Janssen. It was initially used restrictively for terminal cancer patients experiencing extreme pain but was later expanded in use due to pharmaceutical industry lobbying. Since the 2010s, U.S. authorities have regulated fentanyl as a substitute for narcotics, but they have been unable to prevent addiction to fentanyl, known as the 'drug of death.'

In the United States, various side effects have been observed, such as people collapsing on the streets after taking fentanyl or suddenly falling asleep while walking.

Just as 19th-century China was devastated by opium, there are concerns that 21st-century America could be destroyed by fentanyl. One of the reasons U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken planned to visit China was to discuss controlling the supply of fentanyl raw materials with China. The U.S. views the root cause of the fentanyl problem as China mass-producing raw materials and Mexican drug cartels processing and smuggling them.