Escaping forced labour and confinement

If you are not free to leave a job, that is forced labour. In Korea, forced labour and confinement are crimes.

Warning signs

• Your passport or ARC has been taken and not returned
• You are prevented from leaving the dormitory or workplace
• "You can leave when the debt is paid" — work forced over a debt
• You are made to keep working while unpaid
• Your phone is taken or outside contact is blocked
• You are made to work through violence or threats
• Threats against your family
• Doors locked at night

What you can do now

1. If it is safe, call 112. Ask for interpretation (say "interpretation" or your language name).
2. If you cannot speak, text 112. Write your location first.
3. Call 1577-1366 — 13 languages, 24 hours.
4. If you can get out, take your passport, medication and phone. Leave even without them — documents can be replaced.
5. You can be connected to a support centre or shelter, even if you have nowhere to go.

What you need

• You can report with nothing at all.
• If possible, your location (address, building name, shop signs)

Where to go

• 112 police (emergency — text reporting also works)
• 1577-1366 Danuri Helpline (13 languages, 24 hours)
• 1345 Immigration Contact Center
• 1350 Ministry of Employment and Labor
• 1366 women's emergency line
• Your local support centre for foreign workers and migrant shelters

Questions people ask

I'm afraid to report because I have no valid status. In forced labour and confinement cases, protecting the victim comes first. If worried, get advice first through 1577-1366 or a support centre.

I can't leave because of a debt. Forcing work over a debt is debt bondage and illegal. A debt gives nobody the right to confine a person. Get free legal advice from 132.

I paid a broker a large sum. Forcing you to work because of that money is also illegal. Tell a support centre exactly what happened.

Where would I go if I left? There are migrant shelters and support centres. 1577-1366 connects you.

Take care

This is not a labour dispute — it is a crime. The longer you endure it, the harder escape becomes. If you can safely make a call right now, call 112 or 1577-1366. If speaking is impossible, send a text to 112.

Related

passport-confiscation · call-112 · emergency-text · unpaid-wages-report

Source

Ministry of Employment and Labor www.moel.go.kr / Korean National Police Agency www.police.go.kr / As of 2026-08