South Korea’s reliance on foreign labor reached a critical point in 2024, with nearly half of its 1.1 million foreign workers employed in high-risk sectors such as mining and manufacturing. While these workers are essential to the economy, systemic vulnerabilities in workplace safety and labor policies have created a cycle of exploitation.

A combination of lax enforcement, inadequate healthcare access, and restrictive visa policies has made foreign workers disproportionately vulnerable, highlighting the urgent need for reform.