South Korea: Suspected drug trafficker extradited after running his network from prison

South Korean authorities have arrested a man suspected of being a major drug trafficker, accused of running a criminal network from a prison in the Philippines.

Park Wang-yeol, who was serving a 60-year sentence for a triple homicide, was temporarily extradited to South Korea for questioning in connection with the case.

His transfer was made possible after a request from South Korean President Lee Jae-myung to his Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Thanks to an agreement between the two countries, his sentence in the Philippines was suspended pending the investigation conducted in Seoul.

According to authorities, Park allegedly coordinated a drug trafficking network from his cell, in collaboration with accomplices in South Korea.

Local media are reporting large-scale trafficking, including significant quantities of methamphetamine destined for the South Korean market.

However, the authorities have not officially confirmed the exact extent of this network or its financial value.

This case highlights the increasing sophistication of international criminal networks, capable of operating even from prison facilities.

This comes as South Korea faces a rise in drug use, despite strict legislation and intensified efforts to combat trafficking.