The United States has imposed an import ban on products produced in certain salt farms in South Korea. This is due to reports that workers at these farms are suffering from forced labor.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) under the Department of Homeland Security noted on June 6, that it issued a 'withhold release order' based on reasonable grounds that forced labor was involved in the production process of the solar salt products from the Tae-pyeong salt farm on the 2nd (local time).
CBP stated, 'This order takes effect immediately and, accordingly, all solar salt products produced at the Tae-pyeong salt farm will be fully withheld at all entry ports across the United States.' This is the first time that South Korean products have faced import bans from other countries due to forced labor.
The salt farm is reported to be the largest single salt farm in South Korea, located in Jeollanam-do Sinan-gun, Jeungdo-myeon. Most of the site is entrusted to solar salt producers. There have been controversies regarding the issue of forced labor of individuals with intellectual disabilities, referred to as 'salt farm slaves,' occurring in some of these salt farms.
CBP revealed that during the investigation of the Tae-pyeong salt farm, it identified indicators of forced labor defined by the International Labour Organization (ILO), including vulnerability exploitation, fraud, restrictions on freedom of movement, confiscation of identification, poor living and working conditions, intimidation and threats, physical violence, debt labor, wage withholding, and excessive overtime.
CBP stated that goods produced through forced labor are sold below market value, causing unfair competition and threatening the U.S. economy.
Acting Director General Pete Flores said, 'Combating forced labor is a top priority for CBP,' and emphasized that 'products made from forced labor cannot enter the United States.'