Hyundai-LG Facility Raid: South Korea Cautions US Actions Could Impact Future Investments
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has expressed grave concerns over a recent large-scale immigration raid at a Hyundai-LG battery plant in Georgia, which he warns could jeopardize future South Korean investments in the United States. The raid, which resulted in the detention of hundreds of workers, including many South Korean nationals, has been described as bewildering and could significantly influence investment decisions. President Lee emphasized that without improvements to the visa system for Korean workers, South Korean businesses may struggle to maintain direct investments in the U.S.
Details of the Immigration Raid
On September 4, U.S. officials conducted what has been termed the largest single-site immigration enforcement action in American history at Hyundai’s extensive auto plant near Savannah, Georgia. Nearly 475 workers were detained, with over 300 identified as South Korean nationals. Video footage released by U.S. authorities showed some of the detained workers shackled at their hands, ankles, and waists, an image that has sparked outrage and feelings of betrayal among South Koreans. The operation was led by the Department of Homeland Security and has raised serious questions about the treatment of foreign workers in the U.S.
In response to the raid, the South Korean government took swift action by dispatching a charter plane to Atlanta to repatriate the detained workers. However, the return of the plane was delayed, leading to heightened tensions. President Lee confirmed that the workers were scheduled to leave the detention facility at 3 PM Seoul time on Thursday, following negotiations that resulted in their release under “voluntary” departures instead of deportations. This arrangement prevents the workers from facing a ten-year ban on re-entering the U.S.
Impact on U.S.-South Korea Relations
The timing of the raid is particularly sensitive, coming just 11 days after President Lee met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington. During that meeting, they discussed a substantial investment of $150 billion in the U.S., following a previous commitment of $350 billion linked to tariff negotiations. The immigration raid has raised alarms in South Korea, with officials expressing concerns that such actions could deter future investments and complicate the business environment for South Korean companies operating in the U.S.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun addressed the situation during a visit to Washington, where he raised the issue with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He highlighted the distress caused by the images of detained workers and sought assurances that they would be allowed to leave without handcuffs and without facing future re-entry issues. The South Korean government is keen to ensure that the incident does not sour relations and investment prospects between the two nations.
U.S. Government’s Defense of the Raid
In defense of the immigration raid, President Trump stated that the detained workers were in the U.S. illegally and emphasized the need for the country to train its own citizens for specialized roles in critical industries such as batteries and semiconductors. This perspective reflects a broader U.S. policy focus on prioritizing domestic labor and addressing illegal immigration, particularly in sectors deemed vital to national interests.
The contrasting views between the U.S. and South Korea highlight the complexities of international labor relations and the potential ramifications of immigration enforcement actions on foreign investments. As South Korea navigates this challenging situation, the future of its investments in the U.S. may hinge on the resolution of these immigration issues and the broader context of U.S.-South Korea relations.
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