SEOUL – In response to the resumption of direct flights from Mexico, the South Korean government has announced intensified efforts to curb drug smuggling through the establishment of a special task force and enhanced security measures.
According to Yonhap News Agency, this initiative comes as flights between South Korea and Mexico resumed this week after being suspended for two years due to COVID-19 and other issues. The KCS expressed concerns about the potential rise in drug trafficking attempts that could accompany the reopening of these routes. The newly formed special task force will focus on preventing drug trafficking through advanced information analysis and increased monitoring of travelers suspected of smuggling activities. To bolster these efforts, all incoming travelers from Mexico will undergo thorough security screenings using millimeter wave machines and other advanced technologies. This move is part of South Korea's broader strategy to tighten border controls in response to an 11 percent year-on-year increase in drug trafficking attempts, with 362 cases reported in the first half of this year.