US keeps S. Korea in Tier 1 group for human trafficking elimination efforts for 3rd straight year
The U.S. State Department has kept South Korea in the highest tier of countries in terms of anti-human trafficking efforts for the third consecutive year, while maintaining North Korea in the lowest category over state-sponsored forced labor practices, a department report showed Thursday. The department released the 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report, where South Korea was listed in the Tier 1…
The U.S. State Department has once again classified South Korea in the highest tier for combating human trafficking, according to its 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report released on Thursday. South Korea, along with 32 other countries and territories, was placed in Tier 1, including major powers like the United States, Britain, Taiwan, France, Germany, Australia, Singapore, Israel, and Denmark.
The report recognized South Korea's efforts in increasing investigations and convictions, as well as updating guidelines to provide potential victims with access to emergency support. However, the report also pointed out that weak sentencing in South Korea undermined accountability for traffickers.
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