The "Online Drug Investigation Team" will target illegal transactions conducted through dark web marketplaces, encrypted messaging services like Telegram, and unregulated virtual asset exchanges that have become primary channels for drug distribution.
Unlike traditional enforcement measures, the new unit will employ a targeted approach focused on specific distribution networks, aiming to disrupt the online trafficking ecosystem by severing critical links in the digital supply chain.
The initiative responds to government data showing drug offenders in South Korea have increased by over 87 percent compared to five years ago, with a notable rise in cases involving synthetic drugs like methamphetamine and ecstasy. South Korea reported 898 cases of drug offenses in January 2020, a number that increased to 1687 in the same month this year.
Young people aged 10 to 30, who are heavily engaged in digital commerce, have been particularly vulnerable to online drug trafficking, with an increase of 154.94 percent from 233 cases five years ago to 594 cases this year, according to the Prosecution Service.
The unit will implement specialized training for officers in advanced cyber tracking techniques and deploy virtual asset tracking technology to seize criminal proceeds from online drug sales.
Authorities also plan to strengthen international cooperation with global law enforcement agencies to address the cross-border nature of digital drug trafficking.
According to a 2023 United Nations report, approximately 30 percent of global drug trafficking now occurs through online channels.
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