The interagency narcotics joint investigation headquarters (JIH), set up at the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office, conducted a launch ceremony on the 21st and commenced full-scale activities.
The JIH, supported by the Ministry of Justice and the Chief Prosecutor’s Office, includes all pertinent agencies such as prosecutors and police, the Korea Coast Guard, the Financial Supervision Service, the National Tax Service, and the Immigration and Foreign Affairs Headquarters, all of whom are involved in the process from drug importation to supply and distribution. Of the 86 members in total, 42 are prosecutors and 33 are police officers.
The Office of the Chief Prosecutors provided details about the initiative, saying, “Although drug-related offenses have increasingly moved to non-in-person approaches by criminal groups, resulting in a significant rise in such crimes among younger individuals who have convenient internet access, causing substantial damage throughout society, the current drug investigation system faced challenges in addressing these problems.”
Former head of the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office, Park Jae-eok, who was once seen as a top contender for the headquarters chief role, announced his decision to step down on the 17th, creating an empty spot. The Ministry of Justice intends to appoint a prosecutor at the chief prosecutor level as the JIH chief in the near future.
The JIH consists of two primary divisions: Section 1, which focuses on prosecutors, and Section 2, which revolves around police. The leader of Section 1 is Shin Joon-ho, who previously served as the Narcotics and Organized Crime Planning Officer at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office and is now the first chief prosecutor at the Busan District Prosecutors’ Office. The head of Section 2 is Park Heon-su, the chief of the Investigation Bureau at the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency.
Beneath the two sections, there are four prosecution units, seven investigation units, one investigative support unit, and two specialized enforcement units. When the investigative support unit and specialized enforcement units detect cases through data analysis and enforcement activities, the investigation units initiate the inquiry, while the prosecution units take on the cases for additional investigations, among other tasks.
Furthermore, a crime prevention unit and an international cooperation team responsible for overseas assignments also support the JIH’s operations from abroad.
The Office of the Chief Prosecutors said, “The JIH will make every effort to completely prevent all offenses associated with drug trafficking, distribution, and use, guaranteeing that people can lead a tranquil everyday life in a community free from narcotics.”
