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By Choi Ha-young, Park Si-soo

Police have rescued a mentally challenged man who was forced to work like a slave for 20 years at a cattle farm in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province.



The man, 47, surnamed Ko, had worked at the firm since 1997 without pay, police said.



The cattle farm's owners are under investigation for alleged violation of labor laws.



According to police, Ko left his home in 1997 for unclear reasons and arrived at the cattle farm kilometers away.



The farm's owner forced the man to handle 40 cows and other daily chores in exchange for a farm-associated shanty where he lived for 20 years.



"We are investigating the case in cooperation with social welfare experts," a police officer said.



Police found Ko on July 1, thanks to reports from people living near the farm who found it strange that the man was roaming in torrential rain. Ko met his mother Thursday, for the first time since 1997.