Gov't unveils measures against drug crimes, including enhanced border inspection

▲ This file photo shows a drug-sniffing dog checking a suitcase at Incheon International Airport. (Yonhap)

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Gov't unveils measures against drug crimes, including enhanced border inspection

By Kim Han-joo

SEOUL, Nov. 22 (Yonhap) -- The government rolled out a comprehensive set of measures on Wednesday to tackle illegal drug trafficking and usage, with a particular emphasis on enhancing border inspections.

The latest measures involve cracking down on drug smuggling, overseeing medical-purpose drugs more effectively, and expanding rehabilitation programs, according to the Office for Government Policy Coordination.

First, the government plans to broaden the screening of entrants at air and sea ports by incorporating state-of-the-art scanners to inspect checked luggage thoroughly to prevent smuggling.

In particular, officials will resume inspections of all entrants from countries with a high incidence of drug crimes by examining both carry-on baggage and individuals immediately upon disembarking airplanes at airports before immigration, the government said.

The specific countries were not immediately disclosed.

Inspection of international mail and express cargo from such countries will also be intensified by 50 percent, officials said.

The measures are prompted by a significant increase in illegal drug trafficking by travelers, rising from 86 cases in 2021 to 112 in 2022 and 129 in 2023, according to government data.

Additionally, the government plans to enhance the regulation of medical-purpose drugs, such as sleeping pills and anesthetic drugs, to prevent overdose.

The prescription threshold will be heightened and doctors will be obligated to review prescription records for all patients, the officials said.

The government will also adopt an artificial intelligence (AI)-based system to detect and analyze potential overdose cases, promptly identifying such instances for further investigation.

The efforts apparently follow an increase in the misuse of medical-purpose drugs, particularly among younger populations and high-profile figures, like actor Yoo Ah-in.

Furthermore, the government aims to expand support for drug addicts in their rehabilitation by increasing the number of government-run centers from three to 17 by next year.

"The government is committed to restoring its drug-free status and making efforts to protect future generations from exposure to narcotics in their everyday lives," Government Policy Coordination Minister Bang Ki-seon said during a press conference.

South Korea has been bolstering its efforts to combat the rise in drug use and distribution by establishing a large-scale investigation unit comprising hundreds of officials from various government agencies.

As a result, the amount of confiscated drugs and arrested offenders during the January-September period rose by 45 percent and 48 percent, respectively, compared to the same period a year earlier, according to Bang.

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