As new synthetic drugs continue to spread, a growing number are being disguised as liquid e-cigarettes and are increasingly circulating among teenagers, emerging as a major social concern. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, July 21 (Korea Bizwire) — In response to the rapid proliferation of new synthetic narcotics, the South Korean government is seeking to drastically shorten the classification timeline for temporary controlled substances from the current 40 days to roughly two weeks, aiming to bolster early detection and enforcement capabilities.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) is currently working with the National Assembly to revise the Narcotics Control Act by year’s end. The proposed changes include eliminating the two-tier classification system for new psychoactive substances (NPS), allowing all emerging drugs to be swiftly designated as Class 2 temporary narcotics, thereby enabling immediate seizure and prosecution.
Under current regulations, law enforcement and customs officials cannot crack down on new drug variants unless they are formally listed as temporary narcotics. As of now, 110 substances are registered in Korea, while the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has identified over 1,100 forms of NPS globally — highlighting the urgent need for accelerated domestic screening and enforcement.
New synthetic drugs accounted for 34.9% of all narcotics seized in Korea last year, a 3.6-fold increase from 9.7% in 2019, according to the National Forensic Service. Authorities fear an influx of unregulated substances could overwhelm current systems unless addressed promptly.
New Narcotics Threaten Public Health as Synthetic Drug Use Soars (Image supported by ChatGPT)
In addition to speeding up classification, the MFDS plans to abolish the current three-year expiration on temporary listings, instead managing such substances indefinitely. Since the system’s introduction in 2011, every temporary designation has eventually been elevated to full narcotics status — reinforcing the case for permanent oversight.
Sanctions vary by classification: Class 2 drugs carry penalties of up to 10 years in prison or ₩100 million in fines for manufacturing or distribution; Class 1 substances — considered more harmful — can result in life imprisonment or a minimum five-year sentence for similar offenses.
This year, the MFDS also expanded its drug residue monitoring in wastewater, increasing the number of analytes from 15 illegal drugs to more than 200 substances, including prescription and emerging narcotics. The data will help track usage trends and trigger faster regulatory action.
“We are determined to root out illegal drug use with unified national resolve,” said MFDS Commissioner Oh Yoo-kyung. “The government will continue identifying effective and decisive countermeasures to protect public health.”
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
