…The death of a 28-year-old Nepali migrant worker in Yeongam, South Jeolla Province, has sparked national concern and renewed calls for labor reform, as rights groups accuse his former employer of sustained abuse and exploitation.

The worker, identified only as Mr. A, was found dead in February 2025 at the pig farm where he had been employed. While police ruled out foul play, advocacy group Jeonnam Migrant Workers’ Human Rights Network submitted a formal complaint last week, alleging that a toxic workplace environment contributed to Mr. A’s death, possibly by suicide.

According to the complaint, Mr. A and fellow migrant workers were subjected to months of physical and verbal abuse by the farm owner, Mr. B, from August 2024 through March 2025.

The mistreatment included forced morning drills at 6:30 a.m. involving prolonged physical postures, verbal beratement after minor mistakes, and physical assaults such as being grabbed by the collar or jabbed in the chest with a pen.

Workers were allegedly coerced into signing revised contracts that reduced their wages whenever they displeased the employer. The abuse reportedly left Mr. A in severe psychological distress.

On April 8, the human rights group filed a formal complaint against the farm owner, citing violations of the Labor Standards Act…