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Oceans and Fisheries Minister Hwang Jong-woo signs an agreement on protecting the labor rights of salt farm workers at the Gwangju Government Complex on the 30th. / Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries

The government has taken decisive action against forced labor in the salt industry, referred to as "salt farm slavery." International criticism has mounted, including the practice being cited as a case of forced labor in the U.S. government's trade barriers report, and such cases continue to be uncovered even recently. The government is also stepping up its response to resolve human rights violations in the fisheries sector.

According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) on the 30th, the ministry signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on protecting the labor rights of salt farm workers that day with the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the National Police Agency, and the Jeonnam-Gwangju special self-governing city at the Gwangju Government Complex. Under the MOU, workplaces suspected of labor rights violations such as forced labor will face strict measures in accordance with relevant laws, including labor inspections (Ministry of Employment and Labor) and revocation of salt farm permits and recovery of subsidies (MOF). In particular, MOF plans to push for revisions to regulations restricting participation in government stockpiling programs and individual purchase support programs.

After the assault and wage arrears problem at a salt farm in Yeonggwang County, Jeonnam-Gwangju special self-governing city came to light last month, the government has been operating a joint response system involving MOF, the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the National Police Agency, and local government since the 2nd of this month. An MOF official explained, "As soon as the case was recognized, we notified relevant agencies and have been cooperating on a joint investigation," adding, "We are conducting a joint investigation into forced labor such as threats and assault, the state of wage payments, and whether labor contracts were signed."

It was reported that the Yeonggwang labor exploitation case was not uncovered in the government's full survey of employment conditions at 643 salt farms conducted from May to June. MOF stated, "We will improve the survey method to prevent recurrence, and take strict action against illegal acts in accordance with the law."

Earlier, forced labor in the sun-dried salt industry in Jeonnam-Gwangju came to light through the 2014 Sinan salt farm slavery case. At the time, the case sparked public outrage after it was revealed that a person with an intellectual disability who escaped and sought help at a nearby police station was instead sent back by the officer there.

Lee Woong-hyuk, a professor of police administration at Konkuk University, said, "Third-party oversight that can serve as a transparent watchdog is needed in investigations," adding, "Since agencies connected to local communities may not investigate thoroughly, there needs to be oversight by a third-party institution or civil society organizations to ensure objectivity."

Meanwhile, under the Salt Industry Promotion Act, which stipulates revocation of salt manufacturing permits in cases of forced labor, the government plans to coordinate with Yeonggwang County, which holds permitting authority, to swiftly carry out necessary administrative measures such as permit revocation. In particular, for a second survey of 122 salt farms that reported not employing workers, being conducted through next month, the government said it is carrying out unannounced on-site inspections together with human rights organizations.

This practice has also caused friction in trade with the United States. The U.S. government has been closely monitoring forced labor in Korea's salt industry. Last year, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a Withhold Release Order (WRO) on salt from Taepyeong Salt Farm in Sinan County over forced labor allegations.

Minister Hwang Jong-woo of MOF said that day, "As the ministry responsible for the sun-dried salt industry, MOF will responsibly pursue institutional improvements and the normalization of the industry," adding, "Going forward, we will strengthen on-site inspections and human rights education to protect the labor rights of salt farm workers, and take strict action in accordance with relevant laws whenever human rights violations are confirmed."

                                                                                                         Lee Jeong-yeon