High School Student's Corpse Also Shows Repeated Findings... Shocking Autopsy Results

Sharp Increase in Drug Detection from Autopsied Bodies
Experts Say "Serious Signal of Drug Spread"

In June 2021, a high school student A (then 19 years old) was found unconscious in a restroom inside a subway station in Seoul. The autopsy of A, who eventually died, revealed the presence of fentanyl, commonly known as the 'zombie drug.' Fentanyl, a narcotic analgesic, is known to cause powerful hallucinations and abnormal behavior even in very small amounts.

In September last year, B (19), who was found dead lying face down in his living room, was also found to have synthetic cannabis components and a lethal concentration of MDMA (commonly known as Ecstasy) in his blood according to the National Forensic Service autopsy results.

As drug offenders have recently increased sharply, cases of narcotics being detected in corpses are also on the rise.

According to data submitted by the National Forensic Service to Rep. Kim Woong of the People Power Party on the 7th, the number of cases where narcotics were detected in autopsied bodies last year totaled 69, an increase of 60.47% compared to 43 cases in 2021.

Experts express concern that the increase in narcotics detection in death investigations is a 'serious signal of drug spread.'

At the end of last year, a man in his 50s found dead in Yongsan, Seoul, was discovered to have a large amount of narcotics and intact packaging, including vinyl presumed to be used for drug packaging, according to the autopsy.

This man was identified as a so-called 'body packer' who swallowed drugs and concealed them inside his body for transport, marking the first confirmed case of a Korean body packer.

The cause of death was acute Ecstasy intoxication, but no drug components were detected in his hair. The police believe he was likely a smuggler transporting drugs for domestic distribution rather than a drug user.

The types of narcotics detected in autopsied bodies are also diversifying.

Philopon was the most common with 49 cases, followed by fentanyl with 7 cases. The new drug ketamine also increased from 2 cases in 2021 to 4 cases in 2022.

Synthetic cannabis, which had never been detected until 2020, has been steadily found since 2021.

The National Forensic Service emphasized, "Currently, fentanyl overdose is the leading cause of death among teenagers in the United States, and the influx of fentanyl into Korea is on the rise," adding, "The repeated detection of narcotics in autopsied bodies and the increase in cases involving new drugs are recognized as very dangerous signals of drug spread."

Drug Control Measures Council chaired by the Minister for Government Policy Coordination... Discussion on 'Fentanyl' Management Measures

Seized Drugs [Image Source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, on the afternoon of the 2nd, the government held the 5th Drug Control Measures Council at the Government Complex Seoul, chaired by Visit Kyoo, Minister for Government Policy Coordination.

The meeting was attended by officials from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Supreme Prosecutors' Office, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, National Police Agency, Coast Guard, Customs Service, Korea Communications Commission, National Forensic Service, Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, and National Intelligence Service.

At the meeting, the domestic and international trends of fentanyl, which has recently emerged as a social issue, and management measures were discussed. The government discussed expanding organizations, personnel, and budgets necessary for drug investigations, treatment, and rehabilitation. It also announced plans to continuously promote treatment, rehabilitation, and educational campaigns for drug addicts.