South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun and singer G-Dragon (Kwon Ji-yong) of BigBang are currently subjects of a police investigation for alleged drug use, a matter of great significance given South Korea’s strict stance on narcotics. The mere allegations of drug involvement can have far-reaching consequences for their careers.
In South Korea, all forms of drugs are illegal under the current Narcotic Drugs and Substances Control Act. This legislation classifies drugs based on their pharmacological effects, addictiveness, and harm, resulting in varying penalties for drug users. The most severe punishment includes life imprisonment and a fine of up to 100 million won.
The two individuals, Lee and Kwon, are facing different categories of drug-related allegations. The authorities believe Lee was involved with cannabis and psychotropic drugs, while Kwon allegedly used methamphetamine, making their cases distinct.
Drug penalty levels: narotics > LSD > cannabis
There are three main types of drugs: narcotics, psychotropic drugs (LSD), and cannabis. Narcotics, which include opium, morphine (heroin), cocaine, and crack, are strictly prohibited. Individuals caught using these drugs may face sentences of one year or more in incarceration, with more severe penalties for intentional heroin administration.
Psychotropic drugs are substances developed and employed for their stimulating, analgesic, and pain-relieving effects. Due to their addictive properties, they are subject to specific regulations and penalties.
Methamphetamine, MDMA (ecstasy), and ketamine, referred to as club drugs, can lead to imprisonment for up to 10 years and fines of up to 100 million won. Midazolam and zolpidem, which are the primary anesthetics employed in sleep endoscopy, and phentermine, used as an appetite suppressant, carry lesser penalties of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to 50 million won. All these substances fall under the category of psychotropic drugs.
Hemp is categorized into marijuana and hashish, with penalties of up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to 50 million won for cannabis use. South Korean law does not penalize individuals who unknowingly consume these substances. This has led to situations where individuals who have ingested psychotropic drugs like sleep aids and anesthetics claim ignorance of their status as controlled substances.
Addictive levels: opiates > morphine > heroin
The classification of drugs revolves around their impact on the central nervous system, which functions as the brain’s central processing unit. Included in the category of depressants, substances like opium, morphine (heroin), and others possess sedative properties that induce a sense of tranquility.
Morphine is derived from opium through a process that eliminates impurities, and heroin is a chemically altered form of morphine, often involving acetic anhydride. Initial encounters with opium may result in a fleeting euphoric state, but prolonged usage can lead to withdrawal symptoms, even if one skips a dose or attempts to reduce their intake. These symptoms include persistent watery eyes, a runny nose, chills, vomiting, sweating, fever, diarrhea, and, in some cases, hallucinations.
Morphine tends to manifest its most distressing after-effects approximately 72 hours following its cessation. Among these substances, opium, morphine, and heroin are widely recognized for their addictive nature.
Cocaine, sourced from coca leaves, falls within the category of stimulants, resulting in hallucinatory experiences along with physical effects such as an accelerated pulse rate and increased body temperature. Crack, a derivative of cocaine, is extracted by diluting cocaine in water with sodium carbonate and then boiling it.
Methamphetamine, initially discovered in Japan, is a psychoactive drug that was used during World War II to combat sleep and fatigue. It was discontinued due to its adverse impact on dopamine levels. Notably, Captagon, a constituent of crystal meth, has garnered notoriety.
Temporary designation amid the influx of new drugs
MDMA, widely known as ecstasy, was originally developed by a German pharmaceutical company in 1914 as an appetite suppressant. However, it was banned due to severe side effects, including anxiety, agitation, hallucinations, auditory hallucinations, vomiting, increased blood pressure, and potential brain damage from overdoses.
New drugs have been emerging every year. These new drugs typically involve modifications to the chemical structure of existing narcotic compounds like methamphetamine and MDMA, aimed at intensifying their hallucinogenic and addictive qualities while evading regulatory constraints. Even when they possess potential medical applications, if they exhibit addictive properties, these compounds are classified as “new drugs.”
National drug control authorities identify and govern new drugs by categorizing them as temporary drugs. From 2009 to 2021, 1127 new psychoactive substances were identified across 134 countries worldwide. According to data from the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, the drug market continues to witness the ebb and flow of these new substances, each one seemingly replaced by another.
These new drugs predominantly fall within the categories of stimulants, synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists, hallucinogens, and opioids. In 2020, a total of 548 new psychoactive substances surfaced in the drug market, with 77 of these being newly identified. The trend persisted in 2021, with 50 additional new substances coming to light.
This article was originally published on Nov. 1, 2023.
