In South Korea, individuals have been caught cultivating and distributing cannabis while fraudulently using government agricultural support funds. The Joint Drug Investigation Unit announced in a briefing that, since its establishment, it has apprehended over a hundred individuals linked to drug-related offenses, including the unlawful cultivation and distribution of narcotics like methamphetamine and ketamine. The investigations found significant quantities of drugs, highlighting the pervasive nature of drug-related issues in society.

Among those apprehended were two individuals who had cultivated cannabis in a bunker beneath a greenhouse, using smart farming technology and government subsidies meant for agricultural innovation. This misuse of subsidies not only highlights the vulnerabilities in the government's support system but also raises concerns about the integrity of public funding for agriculture. Additionally, the report revealed that a civil servant had acted as a drug courier, indicating the extent to which drug-related crimes have infiltrated various levels of society.

The report further outlines a troubling increase in drug offenses among individuals in their 20s and 30s, with statistics showing a dramatic rise from 4,183 cases in 2015 to over 13,899 in 2025. This demographic shift in drug offenders poses significant challenges for law enforcement and calls for more robust prevention and education strategies to combat the growing drug issues among younger populations in South Korea.