# South Korean Supreme Court narcotics rulings > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-supreme-court-narcotics-rulings > Updated: 2026-10-20T04:00:07.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. The Supreme Court of South Korea has issued rulings clarifying the application of the Narcotics Control Act regarding drug transactions and mandatory rehabilitation orders. In one case, the Court ruled that a drug sale is legally established even if the substance is immediately returned and the payment is refunded. The Court upheld a prison sentence for a methamphetamine sale, noting that the transfer of possession was completed upon payment and delivery. However, it overturned a mandatory drug addiction rehabilitation order, ruling that the defendant did not qualify as a ‘narcotics offender’ because the conviction was for trafficking rather than consumption. In a separate ruling, the Court limited the scope of mandatory rehabilitation education. It determined that individuals charged with receiving narcotics and posting related information online do not qualify as ‘drug offenders’ subject to such orders. The Court clarified that under the Narcotics Control Act, the term is strictly defined as those who have administered, smoked, or ingested narcotics. Consequently, the Court overturned a rehabilitation order for a defendant who was not prosecuted for the actual act of using drugs. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-20: South Korean Supreme Court limits drug rehabilitation orders South Korea's Supreme Court ruled that rehabilitation orders cannot be applied to those charged with receiving or distributing narcotics without evidence of actual consumption or ingestion. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-supreme-court-limits-drug-rehabilitation-orders ### 2026-10-05: South Korean Supreme Court rules immediate drug refund does not negate sale South Korea's Supreme Court ruled that drug trafficking is legally complete even if the drugs and payment are immediately refunded after the exchange. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-supreme-court-rules-immediate-drug-refund-does-not-negate-sale --- Cite as: South Korean Supreme Court narcotics rulings. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-supreme-court-narcotics-rulings