The Korea Customs Service is tightening its crackdown on drug smuggling, which has been surging each year, by establishing a so-called “Korean Desk” for drug-related cases. Traditionally, the “Korean Desk” refers to a system in which Korean police officers are dispatched to local police departments abroad to handle cases involving Korean nationals, facilitate the extradition of fugitives, and cooperate in criminal investigations. The establishment of a Korean Desk for drug enforcement means adapting and utilizing this system specifically for drug-related crackdowns.
On December 5, the Korea Customs Service held the “2025 Special Countermeasures Task Force Meeting on Drug Smuggling” at the Seoul Main Customs Office, presided over by Commissioner Lee Myunggu. The meeting was organized to share this year’s trends in drug enforcement, highlight the achievements of international cooperation against transnational drug crimes, and announce the “Comprehensive Customs Drug Enforcement Strategy” aimed at restoring Korea’s status as a drug-free nation.
Lee Myunggu, Commissioner of the Korea Customs Service, is recently presiding over an internal executive meeting. Photo by Korea Customs Service
According to the Korea Customs Service, from January to October this year, there were a total of 1,032 cases of drug smuggling detected at the border, amounting to 2,913 kilograms. Compared to the same period last year, this represents a 45% increase in the number of cases and a 384% increase in volume. The annual figures for drug smuggling detected were 1,054 cases and 1,272 kilograms in 2021; 771 cases and 624 kilograms in 2022; 704 cases and 769 kilograms in 2023; and 862 cases and 787 kilograms in 2024, showing fluctuations over the years.
The sharp increase in detections this year was largely due to large-scale drug smuggling using ships. Earlier, in April, the Korea Customs Service uncovered an attempt to smuggle a large amount of cocaine (1,690 kilograms) at Okgye Port in Gangneung, and in May, another attempt (600 kilograms) at Busan New Port. The total weight of drugs seized in these two cases alone reached 2,290 kilograms.
Globally, the production, seizure, and number of users of cocaine are also increasing each year. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) attributes this to a vicious cycle, where the rapid increase in illegal cocaine cultivation in Colombia is driving both production and consumption to stimulate each other.
In Korea, the recent surge in seizures of methamphetamine, ketamine (a so-called club drug), and pharmaceuticals containing narcotics has undermined the country’s previous image as a drug-free nation. There are growing concerns that narcotics are becoming deeply rooted in everyday life within Korea as well.
In response, the Korea Customs Service plans to implement a comprehensive strategy with six key initiatives: establishing an integrated system for managing and utilizing drug-related risk information; eliminating blind spots in each smuggling route; strengthening cooperation with domestic and international enforcement agencies; expanding enforcement infrastructure; establishing a continuous inspection system and enhancing expertise; and launching campaigns to prevent drug crimes.
The establishment of the Korean Desk for drug enforcement is the most notable aspect of the comprehensive strategy. This year, the Korea Customs Service conducted joint anti-drug operations with the top five source countries for drug smuggling: Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, the United States, and the Netherlands.
Next year, the agency plans to expand the so-called Korean Desk for drug enforcement by including Cambodia, Laos, Canada, Germany, and France-five countries that have recently seen a sharp rise in drug smuggling risks-in joint enforcement operations. These ten countries accounted for 70% of all drug smuggling cases and 83% of the total volume detected at Korea’s borders last year.
The core of the Korean Desk for drug enforcement is to mutually dispatch customs officers to the borders of these countries, jointly analyze and screen high-risk cargo and travelers bound for Korea, and conduct intensive inspections. This will effectively extend Korea’s drug enforcement reach to the export borders of partner countries, creating a double-layered barrier against drug smuggling.
The Korea Customs Service also aims to establish an integrated system for managing and utilizing risk information by collecting intelligence on drug offenders from domestic enforcement agencies and obtaining route- and item-specific information from the private sector, such as travelers, special shipments, and precursor chemicals. Additionally, the agency will enhance surveillance by distinguishing between different smuggling routes-travelers, special shipments, international mail, general import cargo, ships, and airport/port entrants-to eliminate blind spots in enforcement.
Furthermore, the agency plans to strengthen international joint enforcement operations by cooperating with the main source countries of narcotics to jointly select and conduct thorough inspections of high-risk travelers and cargo bound for Korea at both countries’ borders.
Commissioner Lee Myunggu stated, “Most of the narcotics distributed domestically are smuggled in from overseas, but after crossing the border, the clandestine nature of transactions makes enforcement extremely challenging. This is why it is crucial to block the inflow of narcotics at the border stage.”
He added, “The Korea Customs Service will systematically and swiftly implement the comprehensive strategy to restore our status as a drug-free nation. To this end, we will regularly monitor the progress of each initiative and strive to make our enforcement network even more robust.”
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