Drug Offenses
Possession, use, trafficking and immigration consequences
Drug Offenses
Korea treats drug offenses severely. Possession or use of cannabis or other controlled substances is a crime even for a first offender, prison sentences are common, and the investigation often starts with a positive test rather than a seizure.
We defend possession, use, smuggling and distribution cases from the first police contact: challenging searches and tests, presenting mitigating circumstances, arranging treatment where it helps, and pursuing non-prosecution or acquittal where the evidence allows.
What we handle
Possession and use
Smuggling and distribution
Psychotropic substances
Cannabis
Purchase and sale
Acquittal and non-prosecution strategy
What foreign nationals should know
Cannabis is illegal in Korea regardless of where it was bought or whether it is legal in your home country. Products and edibles ordered online are treated as smuggling.
A drug conviction can lead to a deportation order and a long entry ban, and even a suspended sentence can end a visa.
You can refuse to answer questions without an attorney present and ask for an interpreter. Do not consent to searches of your phone or home without understanding what is being asked.
Korean prosecutors and courts give weight to genuine treatment and rehabilitation efforts. We help document them properly.
Frequently asked questions
No. The test procedure, the chain of custody and the circumstances of use all matter, and there are recognized defenses. Contact an attorney before your next interview.
Yes, it is possible. Deportation is an immigration decision separate from the criminal sentence, and drug offenses are among those most likely to trigger it. Reducing the criminal outcome is the most effective protection.
Importing controlled substances by post is prosecuted as smuggling, which carries heavier penalties than possession. Do not sign for or open a suspicious package, and contact us before speaking to customs or police.
Voluntary, documented treatment is one of the strongest mitigating factors in Korean drug cases. We connect you with programs and present the records to the prosecutor and the court.
This page provides general information about Korean law and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on the facts of each case. Consultations are paid and are held in English or with an interpreter.