The South Korean Ministry of Employment and Labour is investigating an incident in South Jeolla, where Vietnamese fishing workers were allegedly sprayed with a fire extinguisher by their employer.

The incident, which occurred at a seafarers' housing facility, was captured on video. The workers, who entered the country through the employment permit system, were reportedly subjected to long working hours (over 12 hours a day) and verbal abuse.

The ministry is also checking for violations of labour-related laws, including assault and wage theft.

The Ministry of Justice has reportedly deployed the Immigrant Human Rights Infringement Investigation Team to interview the workers to investigate the allegations, and to check their health status, housing and working environment, employment relationship, and residence situation.