Up to 5 Years in Prison or a Fine of Up to 50 Million KRW
Gochang County in North Jeolla Province will conduct intensive crackdowns on the illegal cultivation of poppies and cannabis through July 2025.
According to the county on May 27, this crackdown will focus on locations where covert cultivation is likely, such as greenhouses and kitchen gardens.
Poppies containing narcotic substances are characterized by large, round fruits, smooth stems and flower buds without hairs, and bluish-gray leaves. While all cultivation activities by the general public are strictly prohibited, there are cases where poppy seeds are dispersed by wind and grow naturally in kitchen gardens or yards. Some people have been caught cultivating them, mistaking them for ornamental plants.
If someone is caught illegally cultivating or possessing poppies or cannabis, they may face up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million KRW. If intentionality is recognized, even cultivating just one plant can result in criminal charges, as enforcement standards have been strengthened.
The Gochang County Public Health Center is actively conducting public awareness campaigns, utilizing local electronic billboards and distributing informational materials at meetings of heads of the 14 towns and villages. Residents are being urged to cooperate in reporting illegal cultivation, and the center is providing detailed information on how to accurately identify poppies subject to enforcement and on the relevant enforcement standards.
Yu Byungsoo, head of the Gochang County Public Health Center, stated, "We will thoroughly crack down on the illegal cultivation of poppies and cannabis to ensure Gochang remains safe from narcotics. We ask residents to immediately report any suspicious poppies or cannabis plants they find to the Pharmaceutical Management Team at the Gochang County Public Health Center or to the nearest police station."
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