A disturbing video showing a Sri Lankan migrant worker being tied to a forklift and ridiculed by his colleagues at a brick factory in South Korea has gone viral, igniting outrage in both South Korea and Sri Lanka.
The incident took place earlier this year at a factory in Naju, where the Sri Lankan worker was bound to a forklift and lifted into the air while others laughed and filmed the ordeal. Speaking in an interview months after the footage surfaced online, the victim said, “The pain and humiliation still haunt me. I don’t even want to think about it.”
According to human rights organizations, the worker had committed no wrongdoing but was accused of refusing to teach another Sri Lankan how to roll bricks. Following the incident, he has continued to face harassment and has sought assistance from the Jeonnam Migrant Workers Human Rights Network. Despite the public attention, no one has issued a direct apology to the victim.
Rights advocates in South Korea have condemned the act, emphasizing that it reflects a deeper societal issue. “This is not just a bad joke,” they said. “It exposes a culture of hatred, particularly against foreign workers.”
In response to the public outcry, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has taken action. In a statement posted on Facebook, he said, “I couldn’t believe my eyes after watching the video. It is an unbearable violation of a minority and a clear breach of human rights.”
President Lee also addressed the matter during a cabinet meeting, expressing concern over how such incidents could damage South Korea’s international reputation. He has instructed relevant government ministries to launch a thorough investigation into the working conditions of migrant workers and other minority groups in the country. Furthermore, he urged authorities to implement practical measures to prevent further abuses.
The video continues to circulate widely on social media, fueling demands for justice and improved protections for migrant workers in South Korea.
