SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The South Korean government announced on Sunday that negotiations with the U.S. regarding the release of over 300 South Korean workers detained in a massive immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia have been finalized. A charter plane will be arranged to repatriate the workers as soon as remaining administrative steps are completed.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is scheduled to depart for the U.S. on Monday to discuss related matters. In total, U.S. immigration authorities detained 475 individuals during the operation at Hyundai’s plant, primarily targeting workers associated with the manufacturing of electric vehicles.
The recent immigration raid at the Georgia facility has raised significant concerns within South Korea, especially given the nation’s status as a key U.S. ally. President Lee Jae Myung expressed his discontent, emphasizing that the rights of South Korean nationals and economic activities of their companies must not be compromised during U.S. law enforcement actions. Additionally, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry expressed “concern and regret” over the detentions and dispatched diplomats to the site.
Video footage from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement revealed federal agents rounding up multiple workers who were ordered to line up outside, with some showing signs of distress as they were frisked and restrained. Most detained individuals were taken to a facility in Folkston, Georgia, where they await further developments in their cases.
The large scale of this raid contrasts sharply with previous workplace enforcement actions under the Trump administration and has spurred debates regarding the implications for South Korea’s investments and ongoing bilateral relations.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is scheduled to depart for the U.S. on Monday to discuss related matters. In total, U.S. immigration authorities detained 475 individuals during the operation at Hyundai’s plant, primarily targeting workers associated with the manufacturing of electric vehicles.
The recent immigration raid at the Georgia facility has raised significant concerns within South Korea, especially given the nation’s status as a key U.S. ally. President Lee Jae Myung expressed his discontent, emphasizing that the rights of South Korean nationals and economic activities of their companies must not be compromised during U.S. law enforcement actions. Additionally, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry expressed “concern and regret” over the detentions and dispatched diplomats to the site.
Video footage from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement revealed federal agents rounding up multiple workers who were ordered to line up outside, with some showing signs of distress as they were frisked and restrained. Most detained individuals were taken to a facility in Folkston, Georgia, where they await further developments in their cases.
The large scale of this raid contrasts sharply with previous workplace enforcement actions under the Trump administration and has spurred debates regarding the implications for South Korea’s investments and ongoing bilateral relations.
