SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea’s foreign minister departed for the U.S. on Monday to finalize steps for the return of several hundred South Korean workers detained in a significant immigration raid in Georgia.
The Sept. 4 raid on a battery factory under construction at a Hyundai plant led to the detention of 475 workers, over 300 of whom were South Korean. Reports of workers being shackled during the raid have intensified feelings of betrayal among South Koreans.
President Trump has stated that many of the detained individuals were working illegally, pushing for an arrangement that would require South Korea to send experts to train American citizens.
The response from the South Korean government has been stern, with Minister Cho Hyun labeling the raid a very serious matter amidst legislative hearings filled with concerns about the implications for US-South Korea economic ties.
Despite Seoul's expressed regret over the incident, experts predict minimal retaliatory measures will be taken, given South Korea's security dependence on the U.S.
Questions are also being raised about the U.S. visa system; it appears that restrictive immigration policies are hindering South Korean companies' ability to legally employ skilled foreign workers. Consequently, South Korean foreign minister Cho is advocating for visa expansions for laborers critical to industrial operations.
As South Korea prepares for the potential return of some of its detained workers, the diplomatic dialogues underway may impact forthcoming investments and operational timelines for current manufacturing projects, notably in the electric vehicle sector.
