The South Korean government has reached an agreement with the US for the release of its citizens detained during a mass immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia. The operation, led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), targeted illegal workers, resulting in the arrest of 475 individuals, including over 300 South Koreans.
Soon after the negotiations, Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff to South Korea's president, announced that a chartered plane would be dispatched to bring the detained nationals back home once administrative procedures are finalized.
In light of this incident, authorities in South Korea are focusing on improving the visa system to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The White House has defended the raid as necessary for upholding US immigration laws, asserting that the actions taken were appropriate as many of the detainees were working illegally.
Despite the context of the raid being viewed as operation enforcement, speculation arises regarding its timing amid sensitive trade negotiations between South Korea and the US. South Korea, a key ally, has made significant investments in the US manufacturing sector, with companies aiming to strengthen ties despite the tightening of visa allocations for foreign workers.
LG Energy Solution, which partners with Hyundai in the factory operations, stated that the detained employees, who held various business-related visas or were part of the visa waiver program, are now facing uncertainty. The company has temporarily suspended most business trips to the US, advising employees currently on assignments to return home promptly.
The incident has been described by South Korean media as a 'shock,' raising fears that it may deter future economic collaborations. Those detained are being held at an ICE facility in Folkston, Georgia, with South Korea emphasizing the importance of maintaining strong bilateral trade relations with the United States amidst these emerging challenges.
