Take extraordinary measures to uproot narcotic crimes
Law enforcement agencies have declared war on drugs, as the use of narcotics has become more widespread in Korea, which was once touted as being "drug-free." In a weekly meeting last Friday, Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok vowed to crack down on drug crimes, saying, "We have passed the critical point." In August, Yoon Hee-keun, the new commissioner general of the Korean National Police Agency, even promised special promotions for investigators making significant contributions to uprooting drug offenses.
But the government's avowed crackdown on drugs seems belated, given the severity of drug use here. Drug use, which has long been limited to the wealthy, some entertainers and those connected to organized crime, is spreading to ordinary people, including housewives, students and office workers. So it's no exaggeration to say that Korea has become a "drug-polluted country."
According to a report released by Rep. Song Eon-seog of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), the amount of drugs seized by customs offices surged from 69.1 kilograms in 2017 to 1,272.5 kilograms in 2021, a staggering increase of 18.4 times. The number of drug offenders nearly doubled from 8,107 in 2018 to 16,000 last year. What's most worrisome is that drug offenders in their 20s and 30s accounted for more than half of the total.
The fast proliferation of drugs, particularly among younger people, is attributed largely to their easy access via social media, which protects the identity of the user. Drugs are often delivered by international mail or courier services after being purchased through cryptocurrency transactions over the dark web. As a result, the price of methamphetamines has recently dropped to 20,000 won ($14) to 30,000 won per dose from 100,000 won 10 years ago.
The importance of eradicating drug offenses cannot be overemphasized. That's because this crackdown is essential to protect our people, households and society. The government should take extraordinary measures to root out drug crimes. It's also necessary to strengthen education for young people so that they won't yield to the temptation of drugs.
Law enforcement agencies have declared war on drugs, as the use of narcotics has become more widespread in Korea, which was once touted as being "drug-free." In a weekly meeting last Friday, Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok vowed to crack down on drug crimes, saying, "We have passed the critical point." In August, Yoon Hee-keun, the new commissioner general of the Korean National Police Agency, even promised special promotions for investigators making significant contributions to uprooting drug offenses.
But the government's avowed crackdown on drugs seems belated, given the severity of drug use here. Drug use, which has long been limited to the wealthy, some entertainers and those connected to organized crime, is spreading to ordinary people, including housewives, students and office workers. So it's no exaggeration to say that Korea has become a "drug-polluted country."
According to a report released by Rep. Song Eon-seog of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), the amount of drugs seized by customs offices surged from 69.1 kilograms in 2017 to 1,272.5 kilograms in 2021, a staggering increase of 18.4 times. The number of drug offenders nearly doubled from 8,107 in 2018 to 16,000 last year. What's most worrisome is that drug offenders in their 20s and 30s accounted for more than half of the total.
The fast proliferation of drugs, particularly among younger people, is attributed largely to their easy access via social media, which protects the identity of the user. Drugs are often delivered by international mail or courier services after being purchased through cryptocurrency transactions over the dark web. As a result, the price of methamphetamines has recently dropped to 20,000 won ($14) to 30,000 won per dose from 100,000 won 10 years ago.
The importance of eradicating drug offenses cannot be overemphasized. That's because this crackdown is essential to protect our people, households and society. The government should take extraordinary measures to root out drug crimes. It's also necessary to strengthen education for young people so that they won't yield to the temptation of drugs.
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