South Korea Investigates Migrant Worker Abuse Incident Amid National Outcry

A viral video showing a Sri Lankan migrant worker bound with plastic wrap, tied to bricks, and lifted by a forklift at a brick factory in Naju, South Korea, has sparked national outrage and heightened calls for better protections of migrant workers. President Lee Jae-myung condemned the incident as a blatant human rights violation and ordered an urgent government investigation, emphasizing the need to prevent such abuses. The Ministry of Employment and Labor confirmed it is probing the factory and plans to review conditions at similar workplaces. Advocates argue this event highlights systemic issues within South Korea's foreign labor system, including workplace abuse, power imbalances under the Employment Permit System, and the broader exploitation of migrant workers, who often face dangerous jobs and inadequate legal protections. The incident has intensified public debate about racism and labor rights in a country with over one million migrant workers, prompting demands for comprehensive reforms. Human rights groups and civil society continue to call for stronger enforcement of labor laws and improved dignity and safety for vulnerable migrant laborers.