Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
Korea to increase frequency of drug searches on all inbound travelers
Bags of methamphetamine are on display as evidence, Nov. 15, after Jeju District Prosecutors' Office confiscated it from two Malyasians charged with attemepted drug smuggling. Yonhap
By Yi Whan-woo
Korea will carry out more drug searches on all incoming passengers — both Korean and foreign nationals — who traveled to countries where drug use and drug-related crimes frequently occur, the government announced, Wednesday.
The joint announcement, involving the Korea Customs Service (KCS) and the relevant ministries as well as the police and the prosecution, comes amid a surge in drug trafficking cases in Korea.
The KCS said the frequency of drug searches on incoming travelers from the targeted countries will be more than doubled. However, it did not specify the countries.
A scanning device that can swiftly carry out a body search in three seconds will be adopted in every international airport across Korea beginning next year.
The agency will increase searches on international mail and parcels, as they are increasingly being exploited as a means to smuggle drugs into the country.
In particular, the number of searches will increase by more than 50 percent for international mail and parcels coming from countries classified as having a high instance of drug-related crimes.
To efficiently implement the increased frequency of searches, the government will increase 2024 spending on counter-drug activities to 23.8 billion won ($18.3 million), up 2.5 times from this year's budget.
“We want to ensure that we will make all-out efforts to curb the spread of drugs,” the KCS said, adding, “The government is committed to restoring the country’s status as a drug-free nation."