Oh Yu-Kyoung, Minister of the Ministery of Food and Drug Safety, said on the 26th that the agency would "thoroughly manage the safety of narcotics," adding, "We will prevent addiction and misuse and spare no support for social rehabilitation."
The Minister said this at a ceremony marking the "40th International Day Against Drug Abuse," held at the Ambassador Seoul Pullman hotel on the day. The Minister said, "The road back to a drug-free nation may at times be rough, but we must join forces for a bright future without drugs."
The government also presented commendations to those who contributed to the eradication of illegal narcotics. Professional counselor Ju Se-jin (Psychological Counseling Center Research Institute) received the Order of Civil Merit, Dongbaek Medal, for helping people convicted of drug use recover. Director General prosecutor Lee Tae-sun of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office received the Order of Service Merit for contributing to the eradication of drug crimes. In addition, four Presidential Citations, five Prime Minister's Citations, and 32 Ministery of Food and Drug Safety commissioner's commendations were awarded.
The Ministery of Food and Drug Safety designated the period from on the 22nd to the 28th as Drug Eradication Week and is carrying out various activities. It released online a campaign video to prevent youth drug use, "Don't do what isn't cool."