U.S. visit of South Korean foreign minister following immigration inspection at Hyundai-LG factory valued at $4.3 billion
The Department of Homeland Security led an operation at the Hyundai and LG Energy Solution electric vehicle battery factory site in Georgia last September, resulting in the detention and subsequent repatriation of hundreds of South Korean workers. This raid, which was the largest single-site enforcement action in the Department of Homeland Security's investigative history, has sparked a response from the companies involved and raised concerns about potential economic fallout.
The operation, which involved armored vehicles and the shackling of workers, drew criticism in South Korea, occurring just 10 days after President Lee Jae Myung met with US President Donald Trump. The workers detained were among 475 people arrested last Thursday, with most of those detained having been employed by subcontractors at the construction site.
In the aftermath of the raid, negotiations have concluded for the workers' release. Plans are to repatriate them this week on a chartered flight under what is described as a "voluntary departure". President Trump initially described those detained as "illegal aliens", but later issued a more conciliatory statement encouraging legal immigration.
South Korea is a major US investor and has pledged US$350 billion in funding for projects in the American market. The incident may potentially have economic fallout due to South Korea's significant investment in the US. Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution have restricted non-essential staff travel to the United States and recalled some South Korea-based employees, indicating concern over the impact of the raid on their operations.
The incident has not gone unnoticed by the South Korean government. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is traveling to the United States on Monday in response to the detention of about 300 Korean workers in Georgia. This travel suggests a possible effort to address the issue and encourage legal immigration.
President Trump's more conciliatory statement suggests a similar intent. Trump stated that he was unaware of the raid beforehand, but his subsequent statement may indicate a desire to address the issue and encourage legal immigration. The raid on the electric vehicle battery plant, a US$4.3 billion project, has raised questions about the implications of such enforcement actions on US-South Korea relations and foreign investment in the US.
