South Koreans involved in overseas drug trafficking triples in two years

The number of South Korean nationals requiring consular assistance for drug smuggling offenses overseas has seen a significant surge, nearly tripling over the past two years. Last year alone, 47 South Koreans were cited for such crimes. This increase is predominantly linked to drug trafficking operations originating in Southeast Asia and destined for Europe. The routes appear to be exploited for drug delivery attempts, leading to a rise in arrests and detentions of South Korean citizens.

In parallel, President Lee Jae Myung has arrived in Frankfurt, Germany, marking the final leg of his extensive five-nation international tour. During his visit, he is scheduled to engage with members of the local Korean community. The broader objective of President Lee's tour was to foster enhanced international cooperation, particularly in the critical minerals sector, and to champion South Korea's aspirations in the field of AI semiconductors. The tour sought to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties across the visited nations.