DRUG OFFENDERS EXCEED 10,000 LAST YEAR

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office said Sunday it arrested a total of
10,649 drug offenders in 2007, up 38 percent from the previous year's
7,711.

The number of philopon users accounted for the largest with 8,521, up
42 percent from 2006; followed by marijuana smokers with 1,170, up 40
percent.

"More than 10,000 drug offenders were seized between 1999 and 2002.
But the figure drastically dropped from 2003 thanks to the stiffer
regulations," a prosecutor said. "But the number surged last year.
It's time to take substantial measures to clamp down on use of
illegal drugs."

A growing number of foreigners here are involved in drug
trafficking.

A total of 299 foreigners were detected last year, more than double
of 116 reported in 2006.

Expatriates from China and Thailand mostly consumed philopon, while
those from English speaking countries including the U.S., Canada and
Australia mainly used marijuana prosecutors said.

Prosecutors presumed illegal drugs smuggled in were circulated at
nightclubs in the Hongdae, Itaewon and Gangnam districts.

"We will team up with East Asian countries to weed out drug
trafficking and use," the prosecution said.