Korea sees increase in number of teens involved in drug-related crimes

• Published date: 10 March 2023
• Publication title: The Korea Times

Drug-related crimes have become a major concern in Korea, but what is more concerning is the increasing number of cases involving teenagers.

According to the police, Friday, a growing number of teenagers have been exposed to the use and trafficking of illegal drugs in recent years, as instant messaging platforms, including Telegram, have become one of the major drug distribution channels.

Experts have called for improved education to prevent young people from being exposed to drugs, adding that teenagers who use illegal drugs are more likely to become addicted.

Data tallied by the National Police Agency showed that the number of teenage drug offenders increased from 104 in 2018 to 241 in 2020 and 309 in 2021. Last year, 294 teenage drug offenders were apprehended.

According to data provided by the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, the ratio of drug offenders aged between 10 and 20 last year stood at 34.2 percent. The figure has sharply increased from 15.8 percent back in 2017.

What is worse is that the actual number of drug offenses probably goes far beyond the official figures. Investigators admit it is extremely difficult to track all of the drug trafficking that is rampant online.

The latest case involving a 14-year-old middle school student directed more attention to the seriousness of teen exposure to drugs.

On March 6, the police said they were investigating the girl for allegedly using methamphetamine at her house in Seoul's Dongdaemun District. Her mother contacted the police when she found out that her daughter had fallen down the stairs of their house after using the drug. The student allegedly bought the drug via a Telegram...