Drug Advertisements Flooding Seoul Streets
Concerns Grow Amid Suspicions Involving Famous Celebrities
As drug allegations surrounding actor Lee Seon-gyun spread, the issue of drug abuse in our society?once considered a 'drug-free zone'?has resurfaced. With an increase in drug transactions through social networking services (SNS) rather than direct contact, and 'drug advertisements' being distributed in busy areas of Seoul, it has become much easier for young people to purchase drugs. As a result, the number of drug offenders caught this year has already exceeded 18,000.
On the 23rd, the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency's Narcotics Crime Investigation Division announced that Lee was criminally booked on charges related to marijuana under the Narcotics Control Act. Lee's status was immediately changed from a preliminary investigation subject (under inquiry) to a formal suspect under investigation. Until now, the police had been confirming whether Lee would become a subject of investigation through a preliminary inquiry, but with his status now changed to suspect, the police are expected to notify him to appear soon.
The police investigation is also expected to accelerate. Bae Han-jin, a former narcotics prosecutor and current attorney, said on SBS's "Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show" that "being booked means being registered in the criminal case system of the police or prosecution," adding, "In this case, since Lee gave money to the informant, which raises some suspicion, there is a possibility that the case will be resolved more quickly."
On August 11, 2022, at Incheon International Airport Terminal 1, a drug detection dog is searching for drugs during the 'Korea Customs Service Narcotics Smuggling Prevention Campaign.' Photo by Moon Honam munonam@
Earlier, Lee stated through his agency that he had been blackmailed over drug use issues and was extorted of more than 300 million won, leading him to file a complaint for extortion. Regarding this, Attorney Bae explained, "There is some basis for the allegations, but since urine or hair test results have not yet come out, it is burdensome to prematurely admit or deny the charges publicly through the media, so it seems they intend to wait for the forensic results."
Following the shock caused by Lee's drug allegations, an unidentified card with the phrase "Contact me if you have liquid weed" was distributed in front of the Hongdae Art University, a busy area in Seoul, prompting a police investigation.
Attorney Bae said, "This is the first time I have seen something like this," adding, "There was reportedly a QR code on the back of the card, and although it is unclear whether it actually links to a sales site, if someone sent money out of curiosity after connecting, they could be punished for attempted sale, so people should not access it even out of curiosity."
Experts also point out that our society is no longer a 'drug-free zone.' Kim Hee-jun, a narcotics specialist attorney, said on MBC's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus," "Until now, South Korea was under the illusion of being a drug-free country," adding, "But now, the situation is becoming very dangerous. As I always say whenever I get the chance, I believe our country's drug problem is at the very edge of the golden time." The paradigm of drug distribution has shifted from face-to-face transactions to SNS transactions, making drugs easier to obtain and cheaper.
In particular, as it has become easier to obtain drugs through SNS, drug use is rapidly spreading among teenagers. Attorney Kim said, "The generation proficient with SNS and the internet is naturally younger teenagers who are much more familiar with it than the older generation," adding, "There was a shocking case where a third-year middle school student ordered methamphetamine through a Telegram drug chat room and received it within 30 minutes, then used it with two classmates."
He also pointed out the significant impact that recurring reports of celebrities' drug use have on teenagers. He said, "I believe it has a tremendous influence. For young teenagers, famous celebrities feel like idols," adding, "seeing those people use drugs and then easily return to the entertainment industry after a few years can greatly diminish their awareness of how serious the drug problem really is."
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