Seoul:The number of arrests related to drug smuggling and manufacturing in South Korea has increased by more than 30 percent in the first eight months of this year compared to the same period last year, police reported on Monday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the National Office of Investigation (NOI) under the Korean National Police Agency arrested 174 individuals for drug manufacturing and smuggling between January and August. This marks a 33.8 percent increase from the 130 arrests made during the same period last year.

Additionally, arrests for drug dealing rose by 6.6 percent to 3,396 during the cited period. The total number of people caught for drug-related offenses reached 9,530, reflecting a 5.3 percent increase from a year earlier. Among these, 706 individuals were arrested for offenses involving medical drugs, marking an 11.9 percent rise. This year, police have concentrated their efforts on dismantling drug supply sources and distribution networks.

In a significant operation, police repatriated and arrested Park Wang-yeol, a notorious drug trafficker from the Philippines. Park had been imprisoned there on suspicion of killing three South Koreans and is believed to have distributed drugs to buyers in South Korea. Authorities linked 6.3 billion won (approximately US$4.69 million) worth of drugs to Park, including 12.7 kilograms of methamphetamine, and identified 8.63 billion won worth of criminal proceeds.

Further collaboration with Thai authorities led to the arrest and repatriation of Choi Byeong-min, a key drug supplier for Park. This operation uncovered 41 additional offenses and resulted in the identification and seizure of 6 billion won worth of criminal proceeds prior to indictment.

The NOI announced plans to strengthen cooperation with relevant agencies and international counterparts. As part of these efforts, the police agency will host an international conference on narcotics next month to expand global collaboration.