14 Thai Seasonal Workers Leave En Masse Without Authorization in Jangseong

In Talks with Local Authorities to Prevent Further Departures

In Jangseong, South Jeolla Province, 14 foreign seasonal workers left their accommodations without permission as a group. Some of them were confirmed to have worked normally at local farms until the day before their disappearance, drawing attention to the response from the local community and employment authorities.

Foreign workers who entered through Incheon International Airport to work for Korean companies are lined up waiting for immigration procedures. Photo by Yonhap News

According to Jangseong County on July 11, 14 seasonal workers of Thai nationality left their accommodations without authorization in the early morning of July 2 and have remained out of contact since then. They entered Korea on May 2 and were assigned to farms in the Jangseong area, working normally until just before their disappearance.

As the whereabouts of these workers remained unknown for an extended period, Jangseong County officially reported the case to immigration authorities on July 10. Previously, in June, two Thai seasonal workers also left their posts in Jangseong without permission, heightening concerns among local farms and authorities.

The county has begun discussions with Thai employment authorities to prevent unrest among the remaining foreign workers. Measures are being taken to prevent further departures and to minimize disruption at the worksites.

According to the Immigration Policy Headquarters of the Ministry of Justice, as of the end of 2023, there were 24,530 foreign seasonal workers residing in Korea, of whom 3,600 (14.7%) were staying illegally after leaving their designated workplaces without authorization.