SEOUL, South Korea (Flux Daily) — President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea announced on Thursday that domestic companies may think twice before investing in the United States unless Washington improves its visa regulations for workers. This statement follows the recent release of hundreds of workers detained during an immigration raid at a Hyundai factory site in Georgia.
In a press briefing coinciding with the 100-day mark of his administration, Lee urged for enhancements to the U.S. visa system, addressing the fallout from the September 4 immigration raid that led to the detention of over 300 South Korean workers. South Korea’s Foreign Ministry later confirmed the release of 330 detainees, of which 316 were Koreans, who are now being repatriated.
This significant operation, which saw images of detained workers being chained and escorted raising public ire in South Korea, spurred calls for action. Such events came to light shortly after a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Lee, and followed a July agreement that averted steep tariffs on South Korea in exchange for commitments to invest $350 billion in the U.S. economy amid economic concerns within South Korea.
Lawmakers across South Korea's political spectrum condemned the raid as aggressive and a breach of trust, comparing it to a ‘rabbit hunt’ driven by U.S. immigration goals to ramp up arrests. President Lee remarked on the necessity of a reliable visa system that permits skilled labor from South Korea to help facilitate investment in the United States.
Immigration Policies Under Scrutiny
The U.S. authorities claimed that some detainees had entered the country illegally, while others had expired visas. However, South Korean authorities have expressed frustration over the lack of responsiveness from Washington regarding their requests for a more accommodating visa system for professional workers.
Seeking to mitigate future investment hesitance, Lee indicated that discussions are ongoing with U.S. officials to create a new visa category tailored for skilled workers. He emphasized that such a system would be pivotal not just for Korean investment strategy but also for U.S. economic benefits.
It is reported that the Georgia battery plant is one of over 20 Korean industrial sites in the U.S., with additional projects including semiconductor and shipbuilding initiatives. Experts stress the urgency for the U.S. to revise its visa policies to prevent adverse impacts on these developments.
