Topic: Preventing the Smuggling of Illegal Drugs
Country: South Korea
Delegate Name: Victoria Brown
School: Fishers High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All South Korea position papers GLIMUN 2012 committees
The Republic of Korea has experienced a long battle against smuggling illegal drugs. The country takes illegal drug use very seriously, and punishment for any involvement such as smuggling, use, or possession can result in five years imprisonment to life in prison. This topic is indeed a major problem within South Korea. In 2010, 8,200 grams of methamphetamine was discovered and seized by authorities. The majority, fifty-seven percent, was smuggled from China and authorities believe that it came down through North Korea (Young-Jin). Methamphetamine in fact is most widely used illegal narcotic by South Koreans.
The Republic of Korea is known for its harsh laws regarding illegal use of drugs, and thus various drug traffickers use our ports for transshipment purposes. We ask the United Nations to take this into consideration when proposing policies and programs to help stop illegal drug trade.
It is apparent that other Asian countries also have problems with the smuggling of narcotics, especially Methamphetamine. Japan, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines specifically have noticed methamphetamine usage on the rise as of 2012. With theories of drugs being smuggled down from North Korea or China, the people of South Korea ask the United Nations to aide them in the prevention of such acts. Perhaps the United Nations could apply new policies to every participating country. If we had education on how to easily catch drugs for our policing officials, or maybe stricter border control when it comes to drugs, it would be extremely beneficial to our specific country, as well as countries that experience similar situations. New technology and resources could also potential help this process.
Several laws, treaties, and acts have been set in place for the Republic of Korea in order to prevent the smuggling of illegal drugs. South Korea has participated in three separate United Nations conventions dealing with drugs (In Cho). The 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances and the 1988 Convention against Drug Abuse and Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances all solidify our stance as the people of the Republic of Korea’s against the smuggling of illegal drugs and our overall willingness to help in the prevention of such acts. Domestically, South Korea has implemented the Special Act Against Illicit Drug Trafficking and it summarizes South Korea’s compliance to diminish illegal drug smuggling (In Cho). We have also been known to track mail items and deliveries for any drug-laced items. We believe this to be an acceptable and proficient way to discover and arrest and drug traffickers.
Most solutions to fixing the problem of illegal drug smuggling are amenable to the Republic of Korea. We the people of Korea simply ask that any new treaty not infringe on our current rights, or the ability we have to enforce our own laws. However, South Korea is ready and enthusiastic about stopping illegal drug smuggling. Our country already partakes in cracking down on the use and trafficking of several drugs, therefore we would be open to new suggestions or plans of action to further increase the efficiency of our policing. Our police force is also willing to join forces with the United Nations to create a reasonable and realistic arrangement for preventing the smuggling of illegal drugs.
