Publication

This paper examines the practice of South Korean enterprises employing North Korean workers. First, it outlines the arrangement, which most commonly sees South Korean employers pay wages to the North Korean government, which in turns pays a fraction back to the employees. The author explains that while this practice is often justified by South Korea as a means of encouraging economic and social development in North Korea, it is largely failing both due to labor rights violations and the minimal contact North Korean workers have with South Koreans. He then argues that the most likely way to improve conditions is through a more active South Korean citizenry that demands change.