4 Foreigners Busted for Drug Use
By Kang Shin-who
Staff Reporter
Four foreign dancers performing in a popular musical in Seoul were caught for allegedly using illegal drugs, prosecutors said Monday.
Since Feb. 6, the dancers, mostly from Spain, were performing the famous musical ``Don Juan,'' in which as much as 4 billion won has been invested.
According to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, they are suspected of using hashish, a preparation of cannabis. Hashish, which is commonly called ``hash,'' is usually smoked or eaten like marijuana, is intoxicating and can produce euphoria and other feelings similar to those caused by marijuana but with stronger effects.
The foreign dancers were busted while attempting to smuggle 5 grams of hashish via mail from Spain after they used up their own supply of the drug. This was detected by Korean immigration authorities.
The prosecution indicted a lead choreographer, without physical detention, suspected of smuggling in the drug. He is banned from leaving the country and the prosecution dropped indictment against three others, taking into consideration the fact that Hashish is not categorized as an illegal drug in Spain.
The South Korean government issues C-4 (temporary employment) visas to those seeking to earn income from music, fine art and literature for less than 90 days. It issues E-6 (entertainment) visas to those who stay for more than 90 days. The two types of visa don't require foreigners to submit to drug-tests, as English teacher hopefuls must, but the E-6 visa requires HIV-negative confirmation.