Human trafficking in South Korea

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The Republic of Korea (ROK or South Korea) ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol in November 2015.^[1]

In 2018, the Government of the Republic of Korea (ROK or South Korea) did not meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. The government continues to make improvements but South Korea had been lowered to Tier 2. The government demonstrated serious and sustained efforts by identifying and providing services to a comparable number of victims relative to the previous reporting period, increasing inspections of entertainment businesses, and increasing efforts to reduce the demand for commercial sex acts. Although the government meets the minimum standards, it did not adequately address labor trafficking; the government investigated and prosecuted fewer cases, and penalized and deported trafficking victims due to inadequate identification efforts.^[2]

The U.S. State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons placed the country in "Tier 2" in 2023.^[2]