On Friday night, Seoul police carried out a joint drug crackdown across eight clubs in the Gangnam, Seocho, and Yongsan districts, the night before Halloween, and found no violations.
The operation was part of a broader effort that began in July and has been ongoing since August, conducted in cooperation with the fire department and municipal authorities. The crackdown focused particularly on establishments that attract large crowds of foreigners, a demographic that is expected to increase dramatically during the Halloween celebrations.
Police officials said that the inspections were carried out in a coordinated manner, with officers from the city’s drug squad, the fire brigade and local municipal units working side by side to search for any illicit substances or evidence of drug activity within the venues.
Before the operation began, a police spokesperson told reporters that the focus would be on “clubs, entertainment venues, and areas with high concentrations of foreigners, where large crowds are expected.” He added that the operation would continue to be refined and that future inspections would shift toward vulnerable areas.
The police welcome tips from the public, stating that any information on drug-related crimes will be kept anonymous. For those who provide credible information, rewards will be offered as an incentive for community cooperation.
No drug-related violations were identified during the inspections, and the officers documented the cleaning and tightening of safety measures for the clubs. While no infractions were found, authorities confirmed that they will remain vigilant and expand their coordination with local agencies in the future to keep nightlife districts safe.
