South Korea forced to act after Cambodian worker’s death in freezing greenhouse dorm

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by The Korea TimesJanuary 30, 2026 at 09:01 AM

AI Summary

short article 1 min

South Korea's Ministry of Employment and Labour apologized and pledged improved protections for foreign workers after the Supreme Court held the government liable for the death of Nuon Sokkheng, a Cambodian migrant worker. Sokkheng died in December 2020 in Pocheon, Gyeonggi province, due to complications from liver cirrhosis, exacerbated by substandard living conditions in a freezing greenhouse dormitory provided by her employer. The Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling ordering the government to pay Sokkheng's parents 10 million won each, recognizing the government's failure to properly oversee her living conditions. The ministry stated it will intensify inspections to prevent foreign workers from residing in inadequate housing and ensure similar tragedies do not recur.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Gyeonggi province 60% Pocheon 60% Cambodia 70% Supreme Court ×275% Ministry of Employment and Labour ×280% South Korea ×290% Nuon Sokkheng 95%

Keywords

migrant worker 100% south korea 90% living conditions 80% worker's death 80% greenhouse dormitory 70% cambodian worker 70% supreme court ruling 60% labour rights 60% compensation 50% substandard dwellings 50%