Police in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, have booked a woman in her 20s after she allegedly consumed methamphetamine and exhibited highly erratic behavior in a busy commercial district, including crawling on all fours, screaming, and rolling on the pavement.

According to the Suwon Paldal Police Station, officers were dispatched to the Rodeo Street area outside Suwon Station — a major transit and shopping hub in the city south of Seoul — at approximately 9:20 a.m. on Wednesday following multiple reports from alarmed residents about a woman acting strangely.

A preliminary drug test administered at the scene returned a positive result for methamphetamine. During subsequent questioning, the woman acknowledged having used the substance, police said.

Witnesses described a series of disturbing actions that drew the attention of passersby. The woman was observed shouting loudly, repeatedly jumping in place, and lunging toward a group of homeless individuals who were drinking on the street. She also rolled on the ground and crawled along the sidewalk on her hands and knees, prompting bystanders to contact authorities.

Due to concerns about the woman's physical and mental condition, police initially released her to the custody of her family before arranging for protective hospitalization — a measure under South Korea's Mental Health Welfare Act that allows involuntary admission when an individual is assessed as potentially harmful to themselves or others. Officers stated that the investigation into the circumstances of the alleged drug use is ongoing.

South Korea maintains some of the strictest drug enforcement laws among developed nations. Under the country's Narcotics Control Act, unauthorized possession, use, or distribution of controlled substances can carry significant criminal penalties, including substantial prison sentences. Methamphetamine, known locally as "philopon" or "hongbong," is the most widely abused illicit drug in the country, according to data from Korea's Supreme Prosecutors' Office. In recent years, Korean law enforcement agencies have intensified efforts to combat drug-related offenses, particularly amid growing concerns about the availability of illicit substances through online channels and encrypted messaging platforms. Drug-related arrests nationwide have climbed to record levels, with authorities noting an expanding demographic range of offenders, including younger users.

The incident was captured on video and broadcast by Yonhap News TV.

This article was originally reported by the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, and was translated using a generative AI system before being edited by The Korea Times staff.

Source: The Korea Times