“Seasoned” with forced labor? US blocks South Korean salt products due to forced labor concerns
In a landmark first, the United States has blocked all imports from Taepyung, a major South Korean salt farm. Despite decades of documented abuse, the ban makes the US the first trade partner to take punitive action against the rural salt farms, reports MSN. South Korean officials also stated that this was the first time a South Korean company had their imports suspended by a foreign government over concerns of forced labor.
A decade of exploitation due to government disinterest
The rural salt farms off the southwest coast of South Korea have a reputation for “widespread” use of forced labor. First exposed in 2014, an investigation found dozens, many with disabilities, were victims of modern slavery at the farms. Lawyer Choi Jung Kyu is part of a group of attorneys and activists who petitioned US Customs back in 2022, asking them to act against South Korean salt farms. Three years later, they hope that the US ban will step up pressure on the South Korean government to take more effective steps to eliminate slavery.
“Since the exposure of the problem in 2014, the courts have recognized the legal responsibility of the national government and local governments, but forced labor among salt farm workers has not been eradicated.”
The recent investigation found Taepyung was still engaging in a whole laundry list of modern slavery red flags. They include “abuse of vulnerability, deception, restriction of movement, retention of identity documents, abusive living and working conditions, intimidation and threats, physical violence, debt bondage, withholding of wages, and excessive overtime.”