The recent passing of Lee Sun-kyun, known for his role in “Parasite,” shines a light on South Korea’s strict approach to drug enforcement, with a zero-tolerance policy in place, as reported by John Yoon in the New York Times. Critics argue that the focus on punishment over rehabilitation in the country’s drug policies is concerning. Lee’s legal team refuted the drug allegations, claiming that the police breached information disclosure rules and that Lee had repeatedly tested negative for drugs.
South Korea’s approach to drugs differs from countries like the United States, Canada, and some European nations, where drug use is viewed more as a public health issue than strictly criminal. Despite claims that the country’s policies have helped maintain low drug usage rates, the number of drug-related arrests, including for possession and distribution, has risen to over 17,000 this year from around 10,400 in 2019, according to official reports. Notably, the largest increase in arrests occurred among teenagers, with a sixfold jump to 1,000 arrests from 160. The recent crackdown in South Korea, coupled with the tough rhetoric from the president and his administration, mirrors the “war on drugs” era of the 1970s and ’80s in the United States.
