[Exclusive] Foreign Nationals with Heat-Related Illnesses Up Fivefold... Most Are in Their 30s and Simple Laborers [Workers in Crisis] ⑬

Agricultural and Fisheries Workers Also Hit Hard
Higher Incidence Rates in Gangwon, Jeonnam, and Chungbuk

The number of foreign nationals suffering from heat-related illnesses has increased nearly fivefold over the past five years.

According to data submitted by the office of Assemblywoman Nam Insoon of the Democratic Party of Korea to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on August 28, the number of foreign nationals with heat-related illnesses was 43 in 2021, 74 in 2022, 154 in 2023 (with 3 deaths), 229 last year (with 3 deaths), and 207 as of August 17 this year (with 1 death). This represents a 4.8-fold surge in just five years, and the number of patients is expected to increase further until September 30, when the surveillance system ends.

This year, 57% of foreign workers who suffered from heat-related illnesses were employed in elementary occupations, while 5.7% worked in agriculture, forestry, or fisheries. By age group, workers in their 30s accounted for the largest share, with 74 cases, representing 36% of the total 207 patients. This was followed by those in their 20s (25%) and those in their 40s (19%).

By region, Gyeonggi Province, which has the largest population of foreign residents in the country, recorded the highest number of foreign nationals with heat-related illnesses. However, the incidence rate of heat-related illnesses among foreign residents (registered foreigners and foreigners with residence permits) was higher in Gangwon, Sejong, Jeonnam, Chungbuk, Jeonbuk, and Gyeongbuk.

Experts have pointed out that a structural contradiction is deepening, as the country increasingly relies on foreign workers due to labor shortages, yet fails to guarantee even the most basic health rights for them. Lee Byunghoon, Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Chung-Ang University, stated, "Groups such as foreign workers are more vulnerable to risks from heat waves caused by climate change," and emphasized, "If migrant workers are absent, construction and agricultural sites cannot function properly, so we must not neglect their issues."

Kim Sunghee, former Professor at Korea University Graduate School of Labor Studies, commented, "Foreign workers are concentrated in jobs that are especially prone to heat-related illnesses, but they are often unable to speak out about their difficult situations." She added, "We need to consider institutional changes to protect them and closely monitor for any discriminatory treatment."