South Korean illegal drug and obesity medication surge

South Korean authorities have reported a significant rise in the illegal importation of narcotics and counterfeit obesity medications. Drug seizures at airports, particularly Incheon International Airport, have increased more than fivefold over the last three years, with new drug types seeing an eightfold increase since 2022.

Parallel to narcotics smuggling, the illegal importation of GLP-1 obesity treatments like Mounjaro and Wegovy has surged. Customs authorities intercepted over 5,000 cases through August, a fourfold increase from the previous year. Many of these products, including counterfeit versions originating from India, lacked necessary cold-chain refrigeration and contained unidentified impurities.

In response to these trends, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety identified 949 instances of illegal online sales, mediation, and advertising of GLP-1 treatments between January and September. These violations included online sales sites, social media chat guidance, and peer-to-peer second-hand transactions. Authorities have requested the blocking of these illegal posts, warning that such medications are prescription-only and carry high risks of product degradation and safety issues when purchased through unverified channels.