SEOUL, South Korea (Flux Daily) — South Korea’s Foreign Minister, Cho Hyun, departed for the United States on Monday to finalize arrangements for the repatriation of several hundred South Korean workers detained in a massive immigration raid at a Hyundai factory under construction in Georgia.
The Sept. 4 raid led to the detention of 475 workers, including more than 300 South Koreans. Eyewitness videos showed some workers being shackled as they were processed by U.S. authorities, causing national outrage in South Korea.
This surprising operation, part of the Trump administration’s broader immigration enforcement, has left South Koreans feeling confused and betrayed, especially as it follows a recent summit where discussions about economic cooperation were emphasized.
President Trump stated that the detained workers were in the U.S. illegally and asserted that future collaborations would require South Korea to contribute to training American workers in necessary skills. This sentiment was echoed by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who communicated the administration's commitment to enforcing immigration laws strictly.
South Korea’s government has expressed regret over the incident, with Foreign Minister Cho calling it “a very serious matter” during a legislative session. He emphasized that the aftermath of the raid could lead to substantial ramifications for South Korean investments in the U.S., particularly in light of the economic commitments recently made by South Korean firms.
Lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle in South Korea are urging the government to respond appropriately, with some suggesting retaliatory actions against American workers in South Korea. Others are questioning the reliability of the U.S. as an investment partner, given the incident.
Experts warn that the current strict U.S. visa limits for skilled foreign workers contrast sharply with the U.S. economic goals of increasing manufacturing through foreign investment. The situation may hinder South Korean firms' operations in the U.S., potentially delaying projects and raising labor costs.
Cho stated that some detained individuals may need to return to their work at the factory in Georgia, and discussions are ongoing to secure their reentry into the U.S. He underscored the significant losses that delays in the factory's completion could result in for both South Korea and the U.S. economy.
