Vietnamese Seasonal Workers Detained in South Korea After Allegedly Leaving Assigned Workplace
South Korean immigration authorities have detained two Vietnamese seasonal workers after they allegedly left their assigned workplace without authorization shortly before their visa period expired.
According to the Incheon Immigration and Foreigners Office, the two individuals — identified only as A, 38, and B, 33 — are being investigated for suspected violations of South Korea’s Immigration Control Act.
Workers Allegedly Left Farm Before Visa Expiry
Authorities said the two men were employed as foreign seasonal workers at a farm in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, under South Korea’s seasonal labor program for the agricultural and fisheries industries.
Under the program, foreign workers receive E-8 seasonal work visas that allow them to stay and work in designated workplaces for approximately five months. Workers are generally prohibited from changing workplaces without official approval.
Investigators allege that the two workers left their assigned farm on May 19 without permission, just one day before their authorized stay period was set to expire.
Arrested Hundreds of Kilometers Away
After receiving a report about the disappearance, immigration officers tracked the pair to a kelp-drying facility in Wando County, South Jeolla Province, where they were arrested on May 22.
Authorities revealed that the two men reportedly traveled from Gimpo to Wando by taxi, covering a significant distance across the country.
Officials are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the case, including whether labor brokers or third parties may have assisted the workers in relocating.
Investigation Ongoing
An official from the Incheon Immigration and Foreigners Office stated that the workers departed their workplace illegally before the expiration of their visas.
“We are currently investigating the exact details of the case, including the possible involvement of brokers,” the official said.
South Korea’s foreign seasonal worker program has expanded in recent years as farms and fisheries face ongoing labor shortages, especially in rural areas. However, authorities continue to monitor cases involving unauthorized workplace departures and visa violations.
The detained workers remain under investigation as immigration officials review potential legal action.
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