It has been confirmed that substances classified as new drugs in Europe are not designated as controlled substances in South Korea. This means that possession or sale of these substances cannot be penalized, underscoring the need for a robust response.
Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Nam In Soon, a member of the National Assembly’s Health and Welfare Committee, received data from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety regarding new psychoactive substances reported to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) in 2023. According to the data, of the 26 new psychoactive substances reported to the EMCDDA, 7 substances (27%) are not classified as temporary narcotics in South Korea.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is responsible for gathering information on new narcotic classifications from international organizations such as the UN and EU and major countries such as the U.S., U.K., Germany, Japan, and Australia.
Once a substance is designated as a temporary narcotic according to the (Temporary) Narcotics Designation Procedure and Standards, it is treated and managed the same way as regular narcotics from the date of the designation announcement. Possession, ownership, use, management, import/export, manufacturing, trading, brokering, and receiving of the substance are all completely prohibited and may result in confiscation.
However, if a substance is not designated as a temporary narcotic, individuals can possess or trade it without penalties, creating a significant enforcement gap.
Notably, among the seven substances not classified as narcotics, Iso-3-MMC has the same molecular formula as 3-MMC, which was reported in Austria on February 15 of last year. 3-MMC is recognized as a synthetic cathinone, known to produce effects similar to those of amphetamines or ecstasy.
3-MMC accounted for 9.3% of new psychoactive substances seized by the European Union in 2022, highlighting the urgent need for heightened vigilance.
Rep. Nam stated, “New psychoactive substances are rapidly spreading worldwide, with cases of controlled substances increasingly concentrated in psychoactive medications rather than cannabis or traditional drugs.” She emphasized that, as the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety serves as the secretariat for the Narcotics Policy Council, there is a pressing need for proactive measures and thorough management and oversight of new psychoactive substances.