The mastermind behind a South Korean university drug ring busted by authorities recently wasn’t a stereotypical drug dealer.
The graduate of Yonsei University, one of the most prestigious Korean schools, was enrolled in a master’s programme at KAIST, another elite institution, when he opened a social club three years ago.
Run by himself and other university students, most of whom were in their 20s, the organisation soon turned into a criminal platform where LSD, meth, ketamine and other illicit drugs were consumed and traded.
Experts believe this case, announced by the prosecution on Monday, suggests the dire state Korea is in – that the drug epidemic has hit almost every corner of the country. They say this alarming trend is likely to continue unless the authorities take a drastic step to address the issue.
According to the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office, the founder of the club and five other members were indicted on charges of selling and taking drugs for about one year from December 2022. Eight others who only used the drugs will not stand trial after prosecutors decided not to press charges on the condition that they take part in state-designated rehab programmes.
The club was set up for social activities among university students in 2021. But the founder began to use it as a platform for his illegal business after taking illicit substances for the first time in November 2022, according to the prosecution.
Using money from dealing drugs, the founder hosted parties and gatherings at luxury hotels, attracting around 300 members and making it the second-largest club of its kind nationwide.
All this came to light late last year after he was apprehended over violent behaviour under the apparent influence of illicit drugs at a hotel. Police and prosecutors eventually found the drug connections in his mobile phone, which led to the arrests of several key members.
“Unlike many other cases, the drug ring caught this time appears to have been operated by university students, which demonstrates the seriousness of the problem,” Hwang Eui-gab, a professor of police administration at Kyonggi University, said on Tuesday.
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Why are these Southeast Asian countries burning drugs?
Why are these Southeast Asian countries burning drugs?
According to data from the prosecution, the number of drug offences reported last year was 27,611, a record high and a significant increase from 18,395 in 2022.
The problem was especially serious among teenagers, with the number of cases more than tripling to 1,477 from 481 during the period.
This alarming trend will not subside unless the government takes drastic measures to stop it, Hwang said. With extended global networks, drugs today are far cheaper and easier to obtain, he added.
“Moreover, many young people seem to have a more positive view of marijuana and other drugs considered to be ‘soft,’” he said. “While enforcing the country’s drug laws strictly, the authorities should step up efforts to educate them.”
In response to the surging number of drug crimes, President Yoon Suk-yeol’s administration vowed to establish a government body dedicated to investigating such cases. But with the National Assembly remaining stalemated, there has been little progress.
This story was first published by The Korea Times
