The Ministry of Justice (Acting Minister and Vice Minister Lee Jin-soo) announced on Tuesday, September 22, that the "Immigrant Human Rights Violation Investigation Team" under the Korea Immigration Service (comprising the Immigrant Human Rights and Rights Team at headquarters and a dedicated 100-member response unit across 43 immigration offices) was dispatched to the field to verify the facts regarding a recent incident where migrant workers admitted under the Employment Permit System (E-9) suffered fire extinguisher spraying by their employer in the Goheung region of South Jeolla Province.

The investigation team plans to swiftly ascertain the facts regarding allegations of human rights violations such as assault, as well as raised suspicions of unpaid wages, through interviews with the affected workers, site inspections, and the securing of relevant materials.

Additionally, the team will comprehensively examine the victims' current health status, housing and working environments, employment relationships, and residency conditions.

If human rights violations are confirmed and stabilizing the victims' residency status is deemed necessary based on the findings, the Ministry plans to actively support workplace changes through the "Foreigner Human Rights Protection and Rights Promotion Council" in accordance with relevant laws and the victims' situations.

Furthermore, the Korea Immigration Service intends to cooperate swiftly with relevant agencies, including the police and the Ministry of Employment and Labor, regarding criminal suspicions such as assault and violations of labor laws like unpaid wages, ensuring that victims can access appropriate relief procedures.

The Ministry of Justice stated that it will continue to strengthen rapid on-site response and victim protection systems centered around the "Immigrant Human Rights Violation Investigation Team," while continuously pursuing institutional improvements to prevent human rights violations.

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