After Trump's re-inauguration, the term "tariff war" began surfacing frequently, marking a wave of conflict and negotiation between various countries. The United States, which is engaged in tariff battles with China, Mexico, and Canada, had imposed a 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada, but has currently suspended it temporarily. With China, while maintaining elevated tariffs, the U.S. continues to pursue negotiations. At the core of these tariff conflicts lies fentanyl — a powerful narcotic often mentioned as a key issue.

Fentanyl is a highly addictive and potent opioid, notoriously nicknamed the ‘Zombie drug’ due to its severe hallucinogenic and emetic side effects. In interviews, Trump has strongly emphasized the threat fentanyl poses to American citizens, especially highlighting its inflow from the three aforementioned countries.

Canada has announced the appointment of a ‘fentanyl czar’ to tackle the issue, while Mexico has reportedly reached direct agreements with the U.S. regarding fentanyl control. These developments reflect how drug-related issues — especially concerning fentanyl — are becoming pressing matters on the international stage.

This article explores the impact of fentanyl in the U.S. and the broader issue of drug addiction, while also delving into the reality of narcotic abuse in South Korea, particularly among youth and young adults.

The scourge of powerful synthetic opioids is intensifying globally, with particularly severe impacts in the US, Canada, Asia, and Europe. Since the onset of COVID-19, the rise of telemedicine and online marketplaces has enabled drug trafficking through social media (e.g., Facebook, Instagram) and the dark web. In an effort to stem the flow of fentanyl precursors, the U.S. and China reached an agreement; however, escalating tensions between the two nations now cast doubt on whether this collaboration can be sustained.

So, what does the situation look like in the United States, where Kensington Avenue — often cited in reports on fentanyl — runs? American authorities are witnessing overdose rates that are more than double those caused by methamphetamine. Addicts displaying overdose symptoms on the streets have created serious public safety gaps, and for Americans aged 18 to 45, fentanyl has surpassed both suicide and traffic accidents as the leading cause of death. People between 25 and 54 years old — a critical segment of the workforce — account for roughly 60% of all overdoses, deepening the nation’s labor shortage crisis and amplifying the social impact.

According to U.S. government data, most fentanyl originates in China and is smuggled through Mexico or Canada before entering the United States. These supply chain routes were a focal point in former President Trump’s trade-war tariffs. In one 2019 incident, authorities intercepted some 24 metric tonnes (approximately 26.5 U.S. tons) — enough to kill millions of people — from a shipment departing China and destined for Mexico. Given that a lethal dose of fentanyl is merely 2 mg — about the size of a pencil lead tip — the sheer scale of this bust reveals the magnitude of the trafficking operation.

Upon first reading, one might think, “Thankfully, South Korea isn’t at that level yet.” But a closer look at domestic trends quickly dispels any such complacency.

To gauge the nation’s drug landscape, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety tested wastewater at over 25 treatment plants and found methamphetamine residues at each site. By analyzing sewage — containing human waste and discarded medications — authorities can track drug use patterns. This data underscores that methamphetamine abuse and excessive consumption are already serious concerns in South Korea.

Experts define a “drug-free” nation as one with fewer than 10,000 drug offenders among its population of around 50 million. South Korea exceeded that threshold in the early 2000s, and in 2023, the number of drug arrests surpassed 27,000 for the first time, highlighting the deepening social problem. Young people are especially affected: offenders in their teens and twenties account for 35% of total arrests — a jump from 24% in 2019. Arrests of minors under 19 soared from 481 in 2022 to 1,477 in 2023, a threefold increase that represents a 36-fold rise since 2011, exposing the severity of youth drug abuse.

The ease with which adolescents access illicit substances is fueled by social media and dark web channels. Following the pandemic, contactless transactions surged, and online drug busts rose from 1,482 in 2018 to 9,269 in 2022 — a sixfold increase — creating avenues for teens to purchase narcotics without face-to-face contact.

Moreover, the share of foreign nationals — particularly those residing illegally — among arrested drug offenders is climbing, contributing to the overall rise in drug-related arrests. Between January and May 2024, police detained 549 foreign drug offenders, of whom 317 (57.8%) were undocumented. Over the past six years, the number of illegal resident drug offenders climbed from 172 in 2018 to 1,083 in 2023, and total foreign drug arrests jumped from 597 to 2,187 — a 3.7-fold increase.

It has been only a short time since our streets, once known for neighbors sharing snacks and drinks, have become spaces where people feel the need to inspect packages for tampering or test food for hidden narcotics. In any society, rising demand begets rising supply. To protect South Korea from illicit drugs, it is critical to cut off demand before supply surges — through coordinated national policies and personal vigilance. We end this report with the hope that fewer people will suffer and that South Korea may reclaim its warmth and trust.