The U.S. State Department has retained South Korea in its highest tier for efforts to eliminate human trafficking for the third year in a row, according to the 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report released Thursday. South Korea was included in the Tier 1 group alongside 32 other countries and territories, including the United States, Britain, Taiwan, France, Germany, Australia, Singapore, Israel, and Denmark.
The report acknowledged Seoul's efforts, such as increasing investigations and convictions, and updating guidelines for potential victim support. The department stated that "The government continued to demonstrate serious and sustained efforts during the reporting period. Therefore, the ROK remained on Tier 1."
However, the report also pointed out that weak sentencing for traffickers in South Korea undermined accountability, and that the number of adult sex trafficking and labor trafficking cases pursued by law enforcement remained "disproportionately low compared to estimates of the scale of the crime."
North Korea, meanwhile, was placed in the lowest Tier 3 category for the 24th consecutive year. The report cited a government policy and pattern of human trafficking in political prison camps and labor centers, as well as forced labor conditions for North Korean workers overseas, with proceeds allegedly funding government operations. Many North Koreans working abroad face excessive hours, hazardous conditions, and threats of reprisal against them or their relatives if they complain or attempt to escape.
