Drug cases involving teenagers in South Korea have risen more than fivefold over the past decade, from 121 in 2016 to 674 in 2025, with synthetic cannabis sold in vape-style cartridges recording its highest share of cases among teens last year, according to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and the National Forensic Service.
The count is climbing again this year, with police arresting 370 teenagers from January to July, 78.7 percent of the 2025 total, according to data released Wednesday by Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Jun-hyuk.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.