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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Kim Tong-Hyung

US blocks sea salt imports from South Korean salt farm over forced labor concerns

South Korea Salt Farm Slavery - (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The United States has blocked imports of sea salt products from a major South Korean salt farm accused of using slave labor, becoming the first trade partner to take punitive action against a decadeslong problem on salt farms in remote islands off South Korea’s southwest coast.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a withhold release order against the Taepyung salt farm, saying information “reasonably indicates” the use of forced labor at the company in the island county of Sinan, where most of South Korea’s sea salt products are made.

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