Viral video of two workers sprayed with fire extinguisher in South Korea is from September case involving Vietnamese workers

A video showing two workers being sprayed with a fire extinguisher in South Korea has resurfaced online, but the footage dates back to an incident in September involving two Vietnamese migrant workers.

The video was reposted by a Malaysian TikTok user on 27 October and had garnered 3.8 million views as of 28 October, drawing attention to the alleged mistreatment of the workers.

The caption accompanying the repost described the workers as having travelled from Malaysia to South Korea in search of job opportunities, only to be woken by fire extinguisher spray before they had started work that day.

The caption accompanying the viral TikTok video read:

Day 1: working in Korea

"A 12-hour journey from Malaysia to Korea, all in search of job opportunities, However, circumstances were not on our side. Upon arrival, we faced not only hardship but were also treated like animals. We were woken up by tire extinguisher spray, as though our dignity and feelings had never mattered.

Just woke up with eye gunk still in my eyes, trying to enjoy the morning vibe, and then suddenly got sprayed with a fire extinguisher. Korean dramas are no longer just dramas. Now that it has happened to you, you are surely going to cry.

By the way, this wasn’t our first day at work. We hadn’t even started working yet and didn’t even have time to eat breakfast, even though work was still an hour away.”

However, South Korean media reported the incident more than a month earlier, when authorities began investigating a business owner accused of repeatedly spraying the two Vietnamese workers with fire extinguisher powder at their accommodation in Goheung County, South Jeolla Province.

Employer investigated over alleged assault

According to Chosun, the incident occurred at around 6pm on 19 September at a residential facility near Nokdong, where the two migrant workers were staying.

Goheung Police Station said on 23 September that the business owner, a man in his 60s, had been booked without detention on suspicion of assault and was being questioned.

The employer, who worked in the fishing industry, reportedly told police that he had been in conflict with the workers because he believed they were not working diligently.

The workers went to the police station to report the incident shortly after it occurred.

A video released by the Gwangju-Jeonnam Migrant Workers' Human Rights Network showed the employer allegedly insulting the workers and repeatedly spraying a dry chemical fire extinguisher into their accommodation.

The group said the powder entered the workers' eyes and mouths, causing breathing difficulties.

It also alleged that the workers had been working long hours, averaging more than 12 hours a day.

South Korean authorities launch investigations

South Korea's Ministry of Employment and Labour launched a special labour inspection following the incident, according to Chosun's report on 22 September.

The Yeosu branch of the Gwangju Regional Employment and Labour Office formed a dedicated inspection team to examine the case, including possible violations involving assault, forced labour and unpaid wages.

The Ministry of Justice also said it would send its Immigrant Human Rights Infringement Investigation Team to verify the allegations through interviews with the workers, on-site inspections and the collection of relevant evidence.

Authorities were also considering protective measures for the affected workers, including connecting them with shelters and helping them change employers, subject to their wishes.

Separately, the Gwangju-Jeonnam Migrant Workers' Human Rights Network called for a thorough investigation and a firm response from the police and labour authorities.

In reports published on 22 and 23 September, the investigations were still ongoing.