Korea regulates narcotics, psychotropic substances and cannabis under the Narcotics Control Act. The penalty depends on the substance and the conduct.
| Provision | Conduct | Statutory penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Narcotics Control Act Art. 61 | Smoking or possessing cannabis | Up to 5 years' imprisonment or a fine up to KRW 50 million |
| Narcotics Control Act Art. 60 | Using or possessing methamphetamine and other psychotropics | Up to 10 years' imprisonment or a fine up to KRW 100 million |
| Narcotics Control Act Art. 58 | Importing, exporting or manufacturing narcotics / psychotropics | Life imprisonment or at least 5 years |
| Aggravated Punishment Act Art. 11 | Import etc. worth KRW 50 million or more | Life imprisonment or at least 10 years |
In methamphetamine, ketamine and ecstasy cases, urine and hair test results and how you came to use are central.
Psychotropics such as methamphetamine: up to 10 years or a fine up to KRW 100 million
Even for a first offence, the substance and frequency affect the outcome. A suspended indictment conditional on education or treatment is sometimes considered.
How much you had, how you got it and why you kept it can change the penalty dramatically.
Psychotropics: up to 10 years or a fine up to KRW 100 million; much heavier if intended for sale
Possession is often charged together with use or dealing, so all charges should be reviewed at once.
Selling, handing over or arranging deals is punished far more heavily than use. Profit or repetition can trigger aggravated penalties.
Heavier than use; life imprisonment is provided for some substances
Your role and whether you were paid determine the charge. Make sure your role is not mischaracterised in the first statement.
Cannabis is a controlled drug in Korea. Smoking, possession, cultivation and trade are all criminal.
Smoking / possession: up to 5 years or a fine up to KRW 50 million
Cultivation may be treated seriously because it can suggest intent to sell.
Ordering drugs from abroad online or receiving them by international mail counts as import, which carries very heavy penalties.
Import / manufacture: life imprisonment or at least 5 years
Early action is critical. If you only lent your address or did not know the contents, secure the evidence quickly.
Propofol, zolpidem and fentanyl patches can also lead to punishment if used or obtained outside a proper prescription.
Depends on the substance and conduct under the Narcotics Control Act
If you had a genuine medical reason, medical and prescription records are the key evidence.
This site provides general legal information, not advice on any specific case. Outcomes depend on the facts of each case.
DRUG CRIME DEFENSE · KOREA