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According to the 2023 White Paper on Drug Crimes published by the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, the total number of drug offenders in South Korea increased 1.7-fold, from 16,044 in 2019 to 27,611 last year.

(Omitted)

Attorney Chon Hyeong Hwan, a criminal defense attorney at YK Law Firm and a former police officer, said, “As the drug crime rate continues to reach new highs each year, there is strong public support for the view that drug offenders must be punished severely in order to eradicate such crimes.”

He added, “The Supreme Court Sentencing Commission appears to have reflected these demands of the times by establishing sentencing guidelines that are stricter than before.”

Attorney Chon further said, “Even in the case of a first-time offender, and even if the case involves simple drug use, offenders may now face much heavier punishment than before. Therefore, one must never become involved in drug-related cases.”

Source: Global Epic, Reporter Lee Soo-hwan, “Drug Offenders Now More Likely to Face Aggravated Punishment… What Will Change Under the Raised Sentencing Guidelines?” September 23, 2024.
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