Seoul: Foreign Minister Cho Hyun announced plans to potentially visit the United States to address the recent arrests of South Korean nationals by U.S. immigration authorities at a South Korean battery plant site in Georgia.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho shared his intentions during an emergency meeting focused on the immigration crackdown, confirming that over 300 out of the 457 individuals detained are South Korean citizens. The Foreign Minister expressed a profound concern and a sense of responsibility over the situation, highlighting the urgency to resolve the matter swiftly.
Cho revealed that President Lee Jae Myung has directed officials to exert maximum efforts to protect the rights and interests of South Korean nationals, as well as the operations of South Korean businesses in the United States. He mentioned that a senior foreign ministry official might be sent to the site promptly, and he is willing to travel to Washington if necessary for consultations with the U.S. administration.
Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Ji-na conveyed regret and concern to acting U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Joseph Yun regarding the crackdown. The sentiment was echoed by First Vice Minister Park Yoon-joo during a phone conversation with Allison Hooker, U.S. undersecretary of state for political affairs. Park sought the State Department's cooperation and expressed regret over the public disclosure of the arrests.
The U.S. authorities conducted a search warrant at the HL-GA Battery Co. site, a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Co. and LG Energy Solution Ltd., in Bryan County. The operation was described as a criminal investigation into alleged unlawful employment practices. U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the individuals arrested were "illegal aliens" and defended the actions of immigration officials.
Steven Schrank, a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for Georgia, noted that the detainees included those who entered the U.S. through a visa waiver program prohibiting work or had overstayed their visas. The majority are held at a detention center in Folkston, Georgia.
HL-GA Battery Co. has paused construction to cooperate with the authorities. In response, LG Energy Solution has suspended business trips to the U.S. and instructed its employees either to remain in their accommodations or return home. The company's chief human resources officer is set to visit the U.S. to address the issues on site.
ICE released a video of the raid, showing workers, including Koreans, being screened, shackled, and transported. The video depicted armed officers and individuals being processed, handcuffed, and detained. ICE emphasized that while it welcomes investment, adherence to the law is mandatory.