[newsspace=jeongyoungkim] Korea society is now turbulent as ex-president’s grandson appayrently does drugs on YouTube livestream. Korea, once touted by the government as "drug-free," is seeing a fast rise in drug offences in upper class. 

Recently, a grandson of Byeoksan Group was arrested and charged with taking drugs. In October last year, a third-generation chaebol family and a singer were put on trial for trading or inhaling marijuana using their connections from studying abroad, raising concerns that Korea is no longer a clean area for drugs. Seven people, including Hong, the grandson of Namyang Dairy's founder Hong Doo-young, and singer Ahn, were arrested and indicted on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act.

In addition, two people, Cho, a third-generation chaebol family member, and Lim, a son-in-law of JB Financial Group's family, were indicted without detention. It was investigated that Hong, the grandson of Namyang Dairy's founder, regularly received marijuana from C, a Korean-American businessman. Hong also sold marijuana to DSDL director Cho and JB Financial Group family son-in-law Lim.

If you look at the high-ranking children who have touched drugs, there is something in common. It is what they spent their studies abroad. In order to end their "drug scandal," experts say that separate education and treatment programs should be prepared for international students who are prone to temptation to take drugs.

Seung Jae-hyun, a senior researcher at the Korea Criminal Justice Policy Institute, said on the 18th, "We need to end the lives of wealthy international students who have been taking drugs without hesitation," regarding a series of drug scandals by high-ranking children.

Senior researcher Seung said, "We should approach international students who encounter drugs in foreign countries as targets of education and treatment rather than punish them."

"The cannabis is legalized in some foreign countries, so early international students can do it without guilt," he said. "Consulates and embassies should carry out campaigns to clearly inform Korean students that it is illegal for Korean nationals."

He also said, "A treatment program should be prepared for international students returning home after studying abroad," adding, "If they are not treated, they will be the best prey for domestic drug dealers." This is because those who have once encountered highly addictive drugs are likely to fall back into drugs after returning home and have sufficient financial leeway," he said. He said, "If we leave them unattended, we will create a domestic solidarity with each other and continue to fall into addiction."

In fact, the prosecution is looking into a "drug cartel" that includes the third generation of chaebol.

Earlier in January, the prosecution found 17 children from leading social groups, including the grandson of Namyang Dairy founder, the grandson of Goryeo Steel founder, and former police chief's son and handed them over to trial. Most of those caught in the investigation at the time were exposed to marijuana while studying abroad and continued to smoke for years because they could not stop taking drugs even after returning home.

In addition, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office's special investigation team arrested and indicted Kim(45), grandson of the late honorary chairman Kim In-deuk, founder of Byeoksan Group, on charges of taking mixed drugs and liquid cannabis (violating the Drug Control Act. The prosecution plans to investigate whether Kim is also related to the "drug cartel" case.

Jeon, who conducted a live broadcast on YouTube saying, "I will turn myself in for a drug crime," also previously revealed drug charges of acquaintances who studied with him through Instagram. Among them, two active officers were included, and the Ministry of National Defense launched an investigation.

"There is a possibility that drugs can penetrate into Korea at any time if there is a consumer," senior researcher Seung said. "Simple consumers should not fall into addiction through treatment to eliminate drug suppliers."