Slavery in Korea

In this episode, we explore the long and complicated history of forced labor in Korea, from its ancient roots to the modern day, with a focus on the distinctive nobi system of the Joseon dynasty, in which many bonded people occupied a status unlike Western slavery because they could sometimes own property and sustain family life. We trace how this system shaped Korean society until its formal abolition during the Gabo Reform of 1894, while also examining how its social legacy endured well into the 20th century. The episode then turns to the brutal realities of the Japanese occupation, when many Koreans were subjected to forced labor and sexual enslavement, and concludes by connecting that history to present-day concerns on both sides of the peninsula, from state-directed modern enslavement in North Korea to human trafficking and the exploitation of vulnerable workers in South Korea.