In February 2024, the Outlaw Ocean Project in collaboration with the New Yorker reported that seafood-processing plants in China have employed more than a thousand North Korean workers since 2017. The report contained workers' descriptions of being held in compounds under watch of security agents, working long hours every day, getting only one day off a month, and being beaten and sexually harassed by managers sent by North Korea.

In April 2024, The ChosunIlbo in collaboration with the Outlaw Ocean Project reported that around 420 tons of seafood processed by Chineses seafood companies identified to employ North Korean workers were imported to South Korea between 2020 and 2022. Specifically, ChosunIlbo's report included the names of five companies -- Dalian Haiqing Food, Dandong Taifeng Foodstuff, Donggang Luyuan Food, Dandong Taihua Food, and Dandong Omeca Food. Dalian Haiqing Food in January 2024 responded to the Outlaw Ocean Project that "Dalian Haiqing Foods does not employ overseas North Korean workers". The other four companies did not respond to the Outlaw Ocean Project.

The imported products were distributed throughout the country by major retailers such as E-mart, Lotte Mart, Coupang, and Market Kurly. Following ChosunIlbo's reporting, Lotte Mart, Coupang, and Market Kurly announced that they will stop selling the products from Chinese seafood companies related to North Korean forced labor. Business & Human Rights Resource Centre requested a response from E-mart; it did not respond.