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.
Customs agency launches counter-drug response headquarters to curb smuggling
Korea Customs Service (KCS) Commissioner Lee Myeong-ku speaks about the newly launched counter-drug response headquarters at Seoul Regional Customs, Wednesday. Courtesy of KCS
By Yi Whan-woo
The Korea Customs Service (KCS) launched a comprehensive counter-drug response headquarters as part of government-wide efforts to combat the growing circulation of narcotics in Korea, the KCS said Wednesday.
The customs agency said the headquarters will be overseen by Commissioner Lee Myeong-ku, underscoring its determination to root out drug trafficking at the front line of border control.
The headquarters is made up of three teams, each tasked with a specific role in customs surveillance, investigation and intelligence and data support.
It will mobilize all required KCS divisions at its headquarters and regional offices nationwide.
The launch comes as the KCS steps up its crackdown on drugs, following a record number of seizures in 2025.
“The headquarters will serve as the control tower for crackdown at the KCS, coordinating efforts across customs, inspections, investigations and other divisions,” Lee said during the launch ceremony at Seoul Regional Customs. “To ensure these measures are implemented systematically and promptly, I, as chief, will personally oversee the newly established unit.”
He added the headquarters will share weekly updates on operations and continuously monitor progress, immediately reinforcing any weak points.
The initiative addresses the growing challenge of drug smuggling in Korea, which is becoming increasingly bold, as well as more covert and sophisticated.
Last year's seizures — 1,256 cases and 3,318 kilograms — marked increases of 46 percent and 321 percent, respectively, from a year earlier, according to the KCS.
The 3,318 kilograms include large-scale shipments of cocaine from Latin America, smuggled via ships and air containers, with 1,690 kilograms seized in April, 600 kilograms in May and 300 kilograms in August.
In its World Drug Report 2025, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime noted that Korea appears to be part of the new Asian markets that Latin American drug cartels are exploring in response to tighter border controls in the United States and Canada.
The scale of drug trafficking is also growing larger among individual travelers.
From 2024 to 2025, the number of smuggling attempts by individuals rose 215 percent, with the total weight increasing 100 percent. This rate far exceeded that of other methods, including international mail and express cargo.
The KCS said the year-on-year increase in volume among individual travelers is due to more drug shipments weighing over 1 kilogram, which was uncommon in the past.
As for smuggling methods, drugs were hidden inside syrup bottles, garment interlinings, headsets, seasoning paste, tea bags and gym equipment, among other items.