Mr. A and fellow migrant workers were subjected to months of physical and verbal abuse by the farm owner, Mr. B, from August 2024 through March 2025. (Image created by AI/ChatGPT)
YEONGAM, South Korea, April 14 (Korea Bizwire) — The death of a 28-year-old Nepali migrant worker in Yeongam, South Jeolla Province, has sparked national concern and renewed calls for labor reform, as rights groups accuse his former employer of sustained abuse and exploitation.
The worker, identified only as Mr. A, was found dead in February 2025 at the pig farm where he had been employed. While police ruled out foul play, advocacy group Jeonnam Migrant Workers’ Human Rights Network submitted a formal complaint last week, alleging that a toxic workplace environment contributed to Mr. A’s death, possibly by suicide.
According to the complaint, Mr. A and fellow migrant workers were subjected to months of physical and verbal abuse by the farm owner, Mr. B, from August 2024 through March 2025.
The mistreatment included forced morning drills at 6:30 a.m. involving prolonged physical postures, verbal beratement after minor mistakes, and physical assaults such as being grabbed by the collar or jabbed in the chest with a pen.
Workers were allegedly coerced into signing revised contracts that reduced their wages whenever they displeased the employer. The abuse reportedly left Mr. A in severe psychological distress.
Press conference on the migrant worker death case (Image provided by Jeonnam Migrant Workers’ Human Rights Network)
On April 8, the human rights group filed a formal complaint against the farm owner, citing violations of the Labor Standards Act. “The farm was described by workers as a prison,” said a representative of the organization. “Tragically, Mr. A’s story is not unique. Exploitation of migrant laborers remains widespread across the region.”
The number of migrant workers entering Gwangju and South Jeolla with employment visas—including seasonal, unskilled, and maritime labor permits—has risen steadily from 20,659 in 2021 to 32,089 in 2023. Labor groups estimate that undocumented foreign workers push the true number closer to 100,000.
Despite the growing presence of migrant laborers, systemic protections remain lacking. A study commissioned by Gwangsan District last year found that 72.5% of foreign respondents had experienced disrespect from Koreans, while 37.6% reported threats and 35% said they had endured verbal or physical abuse.
In one notable case from March 2024, a group of Korean nationals in Gwangsan was arrested for extorting money from migrant workers by threatening to report them for overstaying their visas.
In response to Mr. A’s death, local governments have pledged to expand protective measures. Officials in South Jeolla Province said they will extend human rights education to employers and establish shelters to immediately separate victims and alleged abusers when violations occur.
“We are working to ensure that migrant workers can labor in safety and dignity,” a provincial spokesperson said. “No one should suffer abuse in silence simply because of their visa status.”
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
