According to France24.com, the raid, conducted as part of the previous US administration's immigration policy, took many by surprise in South Korea, a key ally of the United States. The incident came in the wake of South Korea's agreement to invest heavily in US energy and infrastructure in exchange for reduced tariff rates. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's chief of staff, Kang Hoon-sik, confirmed the successful negotiations for the workers' release and emphasized the importance of safeguarding the rights of South Korean nationals abroad.

South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is set to travel to the US for further discussions on the matter. The raid, which involved frisking and shackling detainees, was documented by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, drawing concern from South Korea's government. The detainees were taken to a detention center in Georgia, and although no charges have been filed, investigations are ongoing. Some workers were found to have either crossed the US border illegally or overstayed their visas, prompting South Korean authorities to consider reviewing visa procedures for business travelers to the US.