Hundreds of South Korean nationals have been detained in the United States following a large-scale immigration raid at a Hyundai Motor battery plant in southern Georgia, prompting urgent diplomatic action from Seoul.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on Saturday instructed officials to make every effort to protect the rights of the detainees, after more than 300 nationals were arrested during Thursday’s operation.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun confirmed that a government task force has been formed to respond to the arrests and said he is prepared to travel to Washington if required.
Cho expressed deep concern over the detention of South Korean citizens during an emergency government meeting.
According to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the raid at the joint Hyundai–LG battery facility in Georgia led to the detention of about 475 undocumented foreign workers. South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, citing diplomatic sources, reported that more than 300 of them were South Koreans.
Seoul has raised concerns that the economic activities of South Korean investors and the legitimate rights of its citizens could be undermined under US law enforcement. South Korean diplomats were dispatched to the site and instructed to form a special response team, while the US embassy was formally notified of Seoul’s position.
Hyundai Motor declined to provide a statement, while LG Energy Solution confirmed it was closely monitoring the situation and prioritizing the safety of employees and partners while cooperating with the authorities.
US President Donald Trump stated that immigration authorities were carrying out their duties and described those arrested as illegal migrants.
South Korea, Asia’s fourth-largest economy, is a key player in the global automotive and electronics industries, with significant investments in US manufacturing facilities.
In July, Seoul pledged $350 billion in US investments amid Trump’s tariff threats, as South Korean companies seek to expand their presence in the American market and avoid trade barriers.
Follow the latest news on Google News
