South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will travel to the United States on Monday to discuss the aftermath of a large-scale immigration raid that resulted in the detention of hundreds of Korean workers, amid South Korea’s significant investment commitments to the US.
On Sunday, South Korean authorities announced that discussions for the release of about 300 Korean workers, arrested during a raid at a Georgia battery plant under construction by Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution, had concluded. Plans are now in place to repatriate them via a chartered flight later this week, reports agencies.
The arrests, carried out by the Department of Homeland Security, sent shockwaves through South Korea, a close ally of the US, which is working to finalise a trade agreement signed in late July. The incident occurred just 10 days after a meeting between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump in Washington, where both leaders agreed on strengthening business relations.
Minister Cho’s upcoming talks will focus on facilitating the return of the detained workers, most of whom were subcontracted, in a process described as “voluntary departure,” according to a South Korean foreign ministry official who declined to offer further details.
President Trump, who has intensified deportation efforts across the country as part of his crackdown on illegal immigration, stated last week that he had not been aware of the raid. He referred to the detainees as “illegal aliens.”
However, Trump softened his stance on Sunday, calling on foreign businesses investing in the US to “respect our Nation’s immigration laws,” while encouraging legal immigration. “Your Investments are welcome, and we encourage you to LEGALLY bring your very smart people, with great technical talent, to build World Class products, and we will make it quickly and legally possible for you to do so,” he posted on Truth Social.
The 300 South Korean workers were among 475 individuals arrested during a raid at the site of a $4.3 billion project being built by Hyundai and LG Energy Solution to manufacture electric car batteries. This marked the largest-ever single-site enforcement action in the history of the Department of Homeland Security’s investigative operations.
The South Korean government expressed its dissatisfaction with the arrests and the public release of video footage showing the operation, which involved armoured vehicles and the shackling of workers.
Hyundai Motor, one of the largest foreign investors in the US, is also involved in a joint effort with other South Korean companies contributing to a $350 billion US market fund.
In response to the raid, Hyundai Motor confirmed that some staff had been asked to postpone non-essential visits to the United States. LG Energy Solution also announced the suspension of business trips for its employees to the US, except in specific cases, and will be recalling its South Korea-based employees currently in the country.
