The Constitutional Court on Thursday threw out a petition against anal searches of narcotics suspects in detention. The petitioner argued the procedure violates human rights.

"Narcotics can clearly be hidden in the anus, and as a minute physical search protects the life and body of the accused and maintains safety and order within the prison, it is not unconstitutional provided the search is conducted in a way that minimizes indignity for the detainee," the court said in its ruling.

The petitioner had been arrested on suspicion of a narcotics offense and was turned around and bent over before a jailer, who spread the individual's buttocks and examined the anus to ascertain that the detainee was concealing no narcotics. The petitioner argued his human rights and the integrity of his person were violated in the search.

(englishnews@chosun.com )