Washington: A senior South Korean diplomat has emphasized the importance of addressing U.S. visa issues encountered by Korean companies investing in the United States. These efforts are deemed crucial for maintaining the momentum in bilateral cooperation, as stated by the foreign ministry on Wednesday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Jung Ki-hong, ambassador for public diplomacy, highlighted this need during a meeting with Michael DeSombre, U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, in Washington. The discussion focused on supporting the stable operations of South Korean businesses in the U.S., particularly in the aftermath of more than 300 Korean workers being arrested and detained in a U.S. immigration raid in Georgia in early September.

The incident prompted the two nations to establish a bilateral visa working group to tackle the challenges faced by Korean businesses entering the U.S. This initiative aims to facilitate smoother business operations and ensure that such issues do not hinder bilateral relations.

In a separate meeting, Jung also engaged with Sarah Rogers, under secretary of state for public diplomacy, to discuss strategies for enhancing cooperation on exchanges and other public diplomacy projects. These discussions included potential collaborations in a trilateral framework involving Japan, reflecting a broader commitment to strengthening international ties.