South Korean Investment in the U.S. at Risk After Immigration Raids, Warns President Lee

Tue Oct 21 2025 00:44:08 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Following a significant immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia that resulted in over 300 South Korean workers' arrests, President Lee Jae-myung expresses concerns about potential hesitance among South Korean firms to invest in the United States.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung stated that firms are likely to hesitate in investing in the U.S. due to the recent immigration raid at a Hyundai plant, which saw over 300 South Koreans arrested. This has raised alarms about future investments and the ability for Korean companies to establish operations in the country. The raid has been described as a shock and could spark a reevaluation of business operations for South Korean firms abroad.

South Korean companies will be very hesitant about investing in the US following a massive immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in the state of Georgia last week, President Lee Jae-myung has said.

More than 300 South Koreans who were arrested in the raid are due to return home on Friday. Their departure had been delayed due to circumstances on the US side, officials stated.

The situation is extremely bewildering, said Lee, highlighting that it is common for Korean firms to send workers to assist in establishing overseas factories.

If that's no longer allowed, establishing manufacturing facilities in the US will only become more difficult... making companies question whether it's worth doing at all.

Last week, US officials detained 475 individuals - over 300 of whom were South Korean nationals - for allegedly working illegally at the battery facility, one of the largest foreign investment projects in Georgia.

President Lee elaborated that the South Korean government is negotiating with Washington on visa options for South Korean workers, addressing access and quotas. I think the US will address this if they see it as a practical necessity, he noted.

The White House has received inquiries regarding the situation, as the workers' departure was reportedly delayed due to an order from President Trump, suggesting that they should be allowed to remain in the US if they desired.

LG Energy Solution, which operates the plant alongside Hyundai, noted that many of the arrested employees held various types of visas or were part of a visa waiver program.

Amid heightened tensions, the raid has sparked concerns in Seoul, with South Korean media labeling it a shock and warning of a potential chilling effect on business activities between the two countries.

As the two governments engage in critical trade talks, the raid's timing has prompted further scrutiny. The White House, however, defended the operation, asserting that it would not deter foreign investment.

President Trump recently commented on the situation, urging foreign companies to hire Americans while assuring that the US government aims to facilitate legal entry for foreign workers complying with immigration laws.