A salt farm. [Newsis]
A salt farm. [Newsis]

Three workers in their 50s and 60s who suffered assault, unpaid wages and other forms of labor exploitation at a salt farm in Yeonggwang-gun, South Jeolla Province, have been officially recognized by the government as human trafficking victims.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family announced Thursday that it had formally designated the three workers as human trafficking victims under the Act on Prevention of Human Trafficking and Protection of Victims. The designation, covering workers exploited at a salt farm in Yeonggwang-gun, was made Tuesday.

The victims, all men in their 50s and 60s, were hired at the salt farm through an employment agency. Investigators found they had suffered assault, unlawful confinement and wage theft over periods ranging from three months to more than three years.

Victims officially designated under the law are eligible for government support covering living expenses, medical costs, employment assistance and legal aid. Living expense support is set at 783,000 won ($509) per person per month for up to six months.

The case came to light in May when a worker was found wandering along a road and rescued. Police launched an investigation after the worker, who had severely limited communication ability, told officers he had been working at a salt farm, and the full extent of the crimes was uncovered.

The investigation revealed that the salt farm's owner, a man in his 60s identified only as A, had subjected workers to harsh treatment and withheld their wages. He was detained along with two employees.

Meanwhile, 86 people have been officially recognized as human trafficking victims by the government since the anti-trafficking law took effect in 2023.

By nationality, 16 are South Korean and 70 are foreign nationals. By gender, 46 are male and 40 are female. Labor exploitation was the most common form of abuse, accounting for 60 cases, followed by sexual exploitation or prostitution with 22 cases, and a combination of sexual and labor exploitation with four cases.


betterj@heraldcorp.com