SEOUL, Feb. 10 (Korea Bizwire) — Actor Yoo Ah-in has tested positive for marijuana after undergoing a drug test as part of a probe into his alleged illegal use of an anesthetic medication, police officials said Friday. Police sent his hair and urine samples to the National Forensic Service for testing Sunday when he arrived [...]
SEOUL, April 6 (Korea Bizwire) — The Constitutional Court has ruled that it is constitutional to punish those who bring marijuana into the country, regardless of how they end up possessing the substance, officials said Wednesday. In a unanimous decision, the court dismissed a constitutional petition filed against the Narcotics Control Act that stipulates heavy [...]
SEJONG, Sept. 18 (Korea Bizwire) — The number of criminal cases involving marijuana smuggling has reached a record high this year. The Korea Customs Service reported there were 246 cases of marijuana smuggling as of August, with the amount of drugs seized reaching 55 kilograms, worth at least 1.7 billion won in total on the [...]
SEOUL, May 28 (Korea Bizwire) — More travelers are attempting to bring drugs into South Korea following the legalization of marijuana in Canada and the United States, customs agency said Wednesday. The Korea Customs Service announced that there were 313 cases of drug smuggling, carried in small quantities by individuals last year, which was five [...]
SEOUL, Feb. 19 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea will allow imports of medical cannabis starting next month, health authorities said Tuesday, as part of efforts to provide more treatment options for patients with rare diseases. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said the National Assembly has passed a bill to amend a relevant law [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 24 (Korea Bizwire) — A number of South Koreans have been arrested for selling drugs such as methamphetamine, marijuana and LSD on the Dark Web, where it is difficult to track IP address. While drug sales via SNS have increased, this is the first time for the prosecutors to apprehend operators of Dark [...]
SEOUL, Aug. 29 (Korea Bizwire) – With an increasing number of states in the U.S. legalizing the sale and consumption of marijuana, attempts to smuggle the illicit substance into South Korea are increasing. According to Incheon Main Customs (IMC), 181 attempts (18kg) were reported between January and July of this year, which was 2.8 times greater [...]
SEOUL, Aug. 13 (Korea Bizwire) — A non-governmental advocacy group lobbying for the legalization of marijuana for medical use was officially launched yesterday. The Organization of Legalizing Medical Cannabis in Korea held its first general meeting at the An Jung-geun Memorial Hall in Seoul, formally announcing the organization’s establishment. Choi Hyeok-yong, the President of the [...]
ANDONG, Oct. 6 (Korea Bizwire) — The city of Andong is pushing for the legalization of hemp (marijuana) for medical use. It is unprecedented for a local government to push for legalization, since hemp has long been designated as an illegal drug. Andong has many places that openly cultivate hemp because it is used as [...]
SEOUL, Sept. 22 (Korea Bizwire) – The recent bust of Gyeonggi Province governor Nam Gyeong Pil’s oldest son for illegal narcotics use has reintroduced the subject of such substances into everyday conversation. The case involving Nam’s son is preceded by the arrest of Choi Seung Hyeon, who was convicted for smoking marijuana with a young [...]