The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
Biz & Tech
  • Auto
  • IT
  • Game
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail & Food
  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Airlines
Finance
  • Policies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Banks
  • Non-banks
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
  • K-pop
  • K-dramas & Shows
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Performances
  • Asia Model Festival
Sports
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Baseball
  • Other Sports
World
  • Asia Pacific
  • Americas
  • Europe & Africa
  • SCMP
Video
  • On the Spot
  • Feature
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
Community
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
Wed, April 14, 2021 | 10:32
Police to crack down on drug abuse at nightclubs
Posted : 2019-02-24 17:12
Updated : 2019-02-24 20:49
Mail
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
A police officer loads seized articles into a vehicle after the search and seizure of Burning Sun nightclub in southern Seoul on Feb. 14. / Yonhap
A police officer loads seized articles into a vehicle after the search and seizure of Burning Sun nightclub in southern Seoul on Feb. 14. / Yonhap

By Kim Jae-heun

In the wake of drug-linked rape allegations at a Gangnam-based nightclub, police are set to all-out combat narcotics circulation.

According to the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) Sunday, it will conduct a three-month intensive crackdown on drug-related crimes, mobilizing all narcotics agents across the country, until April.

"The police will put out all its effort to eradicate crime using illegal drugs through this intensive control," a police officer said. "We will also actively protect the identity of those making reports as they are important in solving the issue at hand and will make sure that they are protected with anonymity."

Some 1,063 police officers are likely to take part in the crackdown, including investigators, cyber police and officers in charge of sex crimes.

The move came after staff at Burning Sun allegedly helped its VIP customers rape young women after drugging them with gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB).

The main target of the investigation is foreign drug traffickers disguised as tourists, who distribute illegal substances through online platforms and social media here. They have been selling propofol, zolpidem and medical cannabis regularly.

Police will search for date rape drugs, in particular, which are used to incapacitate women before sexual assault.

Police see a "crime cartel" forming through the medium of illegal drugs, which causes a sequence of unlawful activities, including smuggling, corruption, rape and recreational drug use.

When a case related to drug crimes is reported to the police station, "code 1" will be issued, which is considered urgent. When a sex crime involving illegal drugs is reported, the police will issue "code 0," which is considered of utmost urgency, and narcotic agents as well as a special investigation team will be dispatched together.

Intensive crackdowns will take place at particular venues reportedly circulating illegal drugs.

Victims of sexual violence using date rape drugs will be aided with a public defender to take legal action against offenders.

The Burning Sun scandal rose to the surface last month when a 29-year-old man name Kim Sang-kyo claimed he was beat up by the staff there and even more seriously by the police in November.

Kim said he attempted to help a woman who was being sexually harassed at the nightclub.

During the investigation, another allegation revealed circulation of GHB at the venue and that staffers there have actively engaged in drugging young women to assist VIP customers to rape them.


Emailjhkim@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
Co-head of Burning Sun club questioned over police ties
Seoul police on Monday interrogated a co-head of a nightclub under investigation over allegations of narcotics use, sexual assaults, violence and corrupt ties with district police....









 
LG
 
  • [EXCLUSIVE] LG-Magna joint venture 'very near' to win Apple EV project
  • Drug smuggling into Korea soars during pandemic
  • Korea, China strongly protest Japan's radioactive water release decision
  • Korea's COVID-19 vaccination timeline faces uncertainties
  • With more school outbreaks, health concerns grow
  • Migrant workers allowed to extend stay in Korea for one year
  • Korea expresses 'strong regret' over Japan's decision to release water from Fukushima
  • Miss Korea, now & then: Meet Korea's beauty icons of '70, '07, '18 [VIDEO]
  • Hotels prepare for ban on use of disposable products next year
  • Hyundai Motor, Samsung SDI forming battery partnership
  • Actress Seo Yea-ji accused of controlling boyfriend Actress Seo Yea-ji accused of controlling boyfriend
  • NCT DREAM to put out 1st full-length album on May 10 NCT DREAM to put out 1st full-length album on May 10
  • BLACKPINK's Rose sets 2 Guinness World Records with solo release BLACKPINK's Rose sets 2 Guinness World Records with solo release
  • Mamamoo to hold online concert on British streaming platform next month Mamamoo to hold online concert on British streaming platform next month
  • Chilean TV channel apologizes over racist jokes about BTS Chilean TV channel apologizes over racist jokes about BTS
DARKROOM
  • Locust outbreak

    Locust outbreak

  • Death toll rises as protests continue in Myanmar

    Death toll rises as protests continue in Myanmar

  • Say 'NO' to racism (Part 2)

    Say 'NO' to racism (Part 2)

  • Say 'NO' to racism (Part 1)

    Say 'NO' to racism (Part 1)

  • Worst dust storm chokes Beijing

    Worst dust storm chokes Beijing

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group