Jeonnam Police Intensify Crackdown on Human Rights Violations and Illegal Activities in Island Areas

Policy to Focus on Crackdown of Illegal Activities at Job Agencies, Salt Farms, and Aquaculture Sites for 3 Months

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] The Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency announced on the 3rd that it will conduct a "Focused Crackdown on Human Rights Violations and Illegal Activities in Island Areas" for three months from the 4th to July 3rd.

This crackdown will focus on illegal activities by some employment agencies, salt farm and aquaculture farm owners, etc., that may occur during the employment process of workers such as salt farm and aquaculture workers and seafarers in island areas, which are relatively vulnerable to human rights protection.

The main targets of the crackdown are ▲ acts of confinement, assault, and wage extortion occurring at salt farms and aquaculture farms, ▲ abduction and inducement for profit under the pretense of employment targeting socially vulnerable groups such as the disabled and homeless, ▲ unregistered employment agency activities, and ▲ wage and advance payment embezzlement by employment agencies under the pretext of lodging, clothing, and entertainment expenses.

Earlier, from January 27 to March 26, the police upgraded and expanded the "Salt Farm Human Rights Violation Investigation Task Force" by appointing the head of the Jeonnam Police Agency’s Investigation Department as the team leader.

During this period, in addition to the existing Jeonnam Police Agency Violent Crime Investigation Unit (in charge of human rights violations), investigative teams from Mokpo Police Station’s Investigation Division (in charge of wage extortion) and Criminal Division (in charge of illegal activities of employment agencies) were added. To protect the rights of salt farm workers who are victims, the Victim Protection Division of the Jeonnam Police Agency Investigation Department was included, ensuring a balanced approach between investigation and victim protection.

The task force received a total of 14 cases, including an additional accusation related to salt farm operator A (48), who was arrested and indicted on charges of embezzling about 340 million won by taking out loans under the name of a salt farm worker with an intellectual disability. Four cases have been sent for prosecution (including those to be sent soon), and 10 cases are under investigation.

Additionally, to analyze the causes of ongoing human rights violations related to salt farm workers and gather opinions for preventing recurrence, meetings were held with related organizations such as the Jeonnam Disabled Rights Advocacy Agency, the Solar Salt Producers Association, and the West Sea Coast Guard.

On the 30th of last month, together with the West Sea Coast Guard, they listened to on-site voices of salt farm and aquaculture farm stakeholders around Haewido and Jangsan-do.

Based on the results of the expanded task force operation, the Jeonnam police will focus on cracking down on human rights violations at employment agencies, salt farms, and aquaculture farms in island areas over the next three months, and will continue to collaborate with related organizations such as the Coast Guard and civic groups.

They also plan to actively participate in the "Salt Farm Workers’ Treatment Improvement Promotion TF" recently launched by Jeonnam Province to do their best to prevent recurrence of human rights violation cases.

A police official said, "Through the two-month activity of the investigation task force, we were able to confirm the working and living conditions of salt farm workers," adding, "For a fundamental solution, it is necessary to supplement laws related to regular surveys on the human rights status of salt farm workers, establish aggravated punishment provisions for forced labor acts, and prepare measures such as proactive registration of persons suspected of borderline disabilities as disabled."

He continued, "We urge active reporting to 112 or the nearest police station if you witness crimes such as assault and wage extortion occurring at employment agencies, aquaculture farms, and salt farms in island areas."