Imports from a prominent South Korean sea salt farm have been banned by the U.S. following concerns of slave labor by the farm — the first time another nation has halted imports from a South Korean company over such concerns.
A withhold release order was slapped against the Taepyung salt farm by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which hinted at forced labor being used by the company. Customs staff at every U.S. port is ordered to cease any entry of salt from this farm.
Customs stated that it spotted hints that something was wrong after investigating Taepyung, for “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,” the Associated Press (AP) reported.
Taepyung, the largest salt farm in South Korea, produces around 16,000 tons of salt each year, making up about 6% of the nation’s total production, according to government reports. Situated on Jeungdo Island in Sinan, the farm leases most of its salt fields to tenants and serves as a key supplier for South Korean food companies.
However, it has faced multiple accusations of forced labor, including in 2014 and 2021.
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South Korea’s Foreign Ministry told the AP on Apr. 7 that government agencies have been addressing labor issues at Taepyung since 2021. While offering no direct evidence, it stated that no salt currently produced there comes from forced labor. The ministry also plans to “actively engage” with U.S. officials on the issue.
With this ban, Lawyer Choi Jung Kyu hopes that South Korea would be pushed to better tackle the issues of slavery.
“Our hope is that the export ban would force companies to strengthen due diligence over supply chains and lead to the elimination of human rights violations,” Choi said.
His law firm urged the South Korean government to enforce stricter actions against trafficking and forced labor crimes, while also calling out the lack of support for any victims.
However, Seoul is still hoping to lift the ban on Taepyung’s salt imports, challenging U.S. Customs’ claims of forced labor.
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Salt in the wounds
In 2014, two police officers from Seoul went undercover as tourists in remote islands in southwestern South Korea to rescue a slavery victim who was reported missing. Many more victims — most with disabilities — were rescued from salt farms across the islands, exposing the forced labor issue.
It was also discovered that most of these slaves were lured by job brokers hired by farm owners, who would beat them and trap them in their homes with little to no payments.
The AP recounted several experiences from some of the victims.
“I want to go back,” Kim Jong-seok, one of the victims, said in an interview. “I feel trapped here.”
“I just worked. I was there on my own. I went to work, I slept. Like that.” Hang Sang-deok, an elderly victim, said. He was returned to his family after they believed he was dead.
“My mind and body were aching,” Lee Hyang-gyun said, filled with anger and hate over his suffering.
The investigation also looked into possible collaborations between the Sinan’s police and the salt farm owners. While several owners and job brokers were prosecuted, police and officials were left unpunished, even with supposed knowledge of the slavery.
IN 2019, the nation’s Supreme Court upheld a ruling requiring the government to compensate three men enslaved on salt farms in Sinan and Wando, citing the official’s failure to monitor their conditions.
In 2021, the issue reemerged after twelve workers at Taepyung were found to have been abused with forced labor and wage theft.
