More than 300 South Koreans were among the 475 individuals arrested by US immigration officials during a major raid at a Hyundai-LG battery plant under construction in southern Georgia. This operation, conducted on Thursday, has been described as the largest single-site raid to date under the anti-migrant policies of the Trump administration, according to Steven Schrank, a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations in Atlanta.
The raid was part of a lengthy criminal investigation into allegations of unlawful employment practices and serious federal crimes connected to the Hyundai Motor-LG Energy Solution joint venture plant located in Ellabell, Georgia. Schrank emphasized that this was not merely an immigration enforcement action; rather, it was the culmination of a multi-month investigation aimed at addressing significant violations of labor laws.
In a response to the raid, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun convened an emergency meeting, revealing that over 300 of those arrested are believed to be South Korean nationals. "We are deeply concerned and feel a heavy sense of responsibility over this matter," Cho stated, expressing the intent to travel to the United States for further discussions if necessary.
According to Schrank, those taken into custody were found to be illegally in the United States and working unlawfully. Following their arrest, the individuals were handed over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for potential deportation. In response to questions at the White House, President Trump remarked, "I would say that they were illegal aliens, and ICE was just doing its job."
Prior to Cho's comments, South Korea had urged the US government to respect the rights of its citizens involved in this incident. A spokesperson for the South Korean foreign ministry, Lee Jae-woong, stated, "The economic activities of our investors and the legitimate rights and interests of our nationals must not be unjustly infringed in the course of US law enforcement."
The construction site of the Hyundai-LG battery plant is critical for the supply of batteries for electric vehicles. Schrank noted that among those apprehended, some had illegally crossed the US border, while others had arrived on visas that did not permit them to work or had overstayed their work visas. He reinforced that this operation highlights the commitment to protecting jobs for Georgians and Americans, ensuring compliance with labor laws, and preserving the integrity of the economy.
As Asia's fourth-largest economy, South Korea is a significant player in the automotive and electronics sectors, operating multiple manufacturing plants across the United States. South Korean companies have invested billions of dollars in establishing factories in the US to access its market and mitigate tariff risks imposed by the Trump administration. During a recent visit, President Lee Jae Myung met with Trump, and in July, Seoul pledged an impressive $350 billion in US investments.
In light of the raid, Hyundai issued a statement confirming that they are closely monitoring the situation at the Georgia construction site and are working to understand the specific circumstances surrounding the arrests. They clarified that, as of now, none of those detained are directly employed by Hyundai Motor Company. Similarly, LG Energy Solution stated that it is collecting all relevant information and is prepared to fully cooperate with the appropriate authorities.
