In a significant development, the South Korean government has convened an emergency meeting to address the recent arrests of hundreds of its citizens during a large-scale immigration raid at a Hyundai plant located in the United States. This event has prompted swift diplomatic actions, with Seoul dispatching officials to the site in Georgia to assess the situation and support those affected.
US officials reported the detention of 475 individuals, primarily South Korean nationals, who were found working illegally at the battery facility, recognized as one of the largest foreign investment projects in Georgia. The White House defended the operation, emphasizing that the raid was a necessary measure to protect American jobs. President Donald Trump reiterated this sentiment, asserting that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was simply fulfilling its responsibilities regarding illegal aliens.
Video footage released by ICE showed Asian workers in handcuffs near the facility, with some wearing uniforms from Hyundai and LG CNS. According to ICE, individuals on short-term or recreational visas are not permitted to work in the US, which underscores the rationale behind the enforcement action.
The timing of the raid has raised concerns in Seoul, especially as South Korea is engaging in sensitive trade discussions with the United States. South Korea's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cho Hyun, expressed his deep sense of responsibility regarding the arrest of South Korean citizens, indicating that an Overseas Korean Protection Task Force has been established to manage the situation. He also mentioned the possibility of traveling to Washington if necessary to advocate for the detained individuals.
South Korean media have described the raid as shocking, with the Dong-A Ilbo warning of potential repercussions for South Korean businesses operating in the United States. The incident comes at a time when South Korea has pledged tens of billions of dollars in manufacturing investments in the US, partly to counterbalance tariffs.
In response to the raid, LG Energy Solution, which operates the plant alongside Hyundai, announced it would suspend most business trips to the United States. The company is taking immediate steps to secure the release of its detained employees and those of partner firms. LG Energy Solution has also committed to providing necessary medications for the families of detainees through an emergency contact network.
The firm revealed that 47 of its employees, along with approximately 250 workers from contractors at the joint venture factory, were among those detained. As part of its response, LG Energy Solution is sending its Chief Human Resources Officer, Kim Ki-soo, to the Georgia site to oversee the situation personally.
The recent immigration raid at the Hyundai plant has sparked significant diplomatic and corporate responses from South Korea. As the situation unfolds, the implications for South Korean businesses operating in the US remain a pressing concern, particularly in light of the ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries.
