Government Pushes to Host INTERPOL Drug Response Center in Korea: "International Cooperation Essential"

The South Korean government has decided to pursue the establishment of an International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) drug response center in Korea to combat transnational drug-related crimes.
The Office for Government Policy Coordination announced that this plan was discussed during the 2nd Narcotics Control Council meeting, presided over by Minister Yoon Chang-ryul, on June 24.
The Office for Government Policy Coordination explained, "There is a growing need for an international cooperation control tower at the Asian regional level to strategically block and respond to the 'Golden Triangle' region (the border area of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos), which produces 70% of the world's drugs." The office added, "The National Police Agency plans to pursue the signing of a letter of intent for the 'establishment of a Korean drug response center' with the INTERPOL Secretary General at the INTERPOL General Assembly in Hong Kong this December."
The government has set a goal to open the center in Korea around the time of the 2029 INTERPOL General Assembly, which will be held in Seoul.
Minister Yoon stated, "We expect this to be a significant help in effectively responding to international drug supply chains," and urged relevant ministries to work together.
During the meeting, the results of the pan-government joint special crackdown on narcotics, conducted from March to May, were also shared.
As a result of the special crackdown, 5,337 drug offenders were apprehended, 895 were arrested, and 759 kg of narcotics were seized.
To curb the abuse of medical narcotics, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety conducted on-site inspections of 148 medical institutions, identifying 31 violations, while the police apprehended 344 offenders involved in medical narcotics crimes.
In addition, 358 attempts to smuggle narcotics across the border were blocked, and 2,158 online drug offenders were apprehended.
Authorities also conducted inspections of clubs and other venues, leading to the capture of members of foreign drug distribution rings and individuals on wanted lists.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.