South Korea is a country that is often brought up when talking about severe restrictions on recreational drug use. Not only does the country have strict laws, it has intense repercussions for breaking them.
For example, if a Korean citizen consumes marijuana one time while traveling abroad in a country where recreational use is legalized, the citizen could still face up to a year and a half in jail after returning to Korea.
Many people don't realize that Korea's ferocity for drug eradication actually comes from the country's forgotten history of drug abuse.
Before South Korea obtained independence in 1945, the country was colonized by Japan for 35 years.
It was during this time that hemp, opium, and morphine were easily accessible.
In fact, Korea was actually used as a trading route for these substances, along with other narcotics such as methamphetamine and heroin, to travel across Asia.
After Japanese rule was lifted, these substances were weeded out of the country.
However it would not be long until Western troops entered Korea, bringing recreational marijuana with them.
Due to a heavy influence from the U.S Army, smoking became popular and normalized. This continued far after the troops left when South Korea officially became its own country in 1953.
President Park Chung Hee introduced the Cannabis Control Act in 1976 in an effort to finally end drug usage in South Korea. It was later revised in 2000 as the Narcotics Control Act.
The Korean Sentencing Commission was a detailed list of the consequences one might face if they disregard these laws. For drug possession, one could face between 8 month and 3 years in prison.
For the trading of drugs, one could face between 6 months to 11 years in prison. For importing drugs, one could face between 10 months to 11 years in prison. Of course, all of these sentences have a multitude of factors that would help to determine a final decision.
For example, in 2021, rapper B.I potentially faced 3 years in prison after testing positive for marijuana. Singer Jung Ill Soon faced up to 2 years in prison and a $112,331 fine that same year for similar charges.
Currently, actor Yoo Ah In has becoming the most recent star to face a drug related scandal.
Yoo Ah In's hair and urine samples came back positive for marijuana as well as propofol, ketamine, and cocaine.
While the actor has not appeared in court yet, many are speculating how severe his sentence may be.
Each substance usage can potentially count as a charge against the user. Yoo Ah In is known to have visited a hospital that administered abusive amounts of propofol 73 times.
These counts do not include the other drugs that were found in the actor's system.
Even if the courts agree to lighten the sentence due to this being the first time he's been charged, the general public agrees that the actor's 20 year career is essentially over. It's currently speculated that Yoo Ah In may face 10 years in prison because of his drug usage.
The investigation is still ongoing, but it's looking like the consequences of these actions may be severe. There is currently no discussion surrounding mental health evaluations or treatments for the actor.
What do you think? Are Korea's drug laws too strict?
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