Ministry of Justice launches immigrant rights team to tackle abuse of foreign workers

By Choi Eui-jong, The Herald Business

The Ministry of Justice has established an "Immigrant Rights and Interests Team" within its Immigration and Foreign Policy Bureau to stamp out the persistent abuse of foreign workers in South Korea.

The ministry launched the team Sunday, saying it would work to prevent human rights violations against foreign workers and strengthen practical protections for their rights and interests.

The move comes in response to a steady stream of cases involving wage theft, verbal and physical assault, illegal brokers and substandard housing conditions affecting foreign workers — prompting calls for a comprehensive government response. Earlier, President Lee Jae Myung addressed the issue directly at a senior staff meeting he chaired at Cheong Wa Dae on April 30, the day before Labor Day. "Narrowing the gap in the labor market is essential if we are to build a country where labor is truly respected and valued," he said, adding, "Human rights violations against foreign workers must be met with strict punishment so they are never repeated."

The ministry said it plans to build an integrated support system covering prevention, protection and remedy — ensuring that foreign workers' rights are upheld at every stage of their migration, from the visa application process before entry through their stay, employment and settlement in local communities.

The team will carry out five core functions: providing education and information, supporting counseling and reporting, conducting on-site investigations into human rights violations, coordinating victim relief with relevant agencies, and pursuing policy reforms related to immigrant rights and interests. The ministry said it will focus particularly on building a rapid-response system for rights violations in the workplace and on strengthening practical protections for affected foreign workers.

The ministry also said it will work with the Ministry of Employment and Labor, local governments and foreign worker support organizations to improve labor and living conditions for foreign workers and help them settle stably in their communities.

Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho said foreign workers are "valued members of our society" and pledged to "build a system that prevents human rights violations and swiftly protects and provides relief to victims, so that foreign workers can live and work in a safer and more respectful environment."