Teen drug arrests in Jan-July reach nearly 80% of last year's total
Police data show that 370 teenagers were detained for drug offenses between January and July, representing 78.7% of the 470 arrests recorded for the entire previous year.
According to data released by Rep. Kim Jun-hyuk, the Korean National Police Agency recorded 370 teenagers arrested for drug-related crimes from January through July, which is 78.7% of the 470 teen arrests recorded for the whole of the previous year. Teenage drug offenses had declined to 442 in 2024 after a surge to 1,066 in 2023, then rose again to 470 last year. The total number of drug offenders nationwide fell from a high of 17,817 in 2023 to 13,353 last year, with 8,426 arrests in the first seven months of this year.
Students accounted for a significant portion of those detained, with 295 student arrests this year, representing 63% of the 468 student arrests recorded last year. The figures highlight a resurgence in teen drug activity after a brief decline.
Why it matters
The rise signals a growing drug problem among South Korean youth, prompting concerns for public safety and health.
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