By The White House
South Korea’s foreign minister will fly to the United States on Monday to press for the release of hundreds of South Korean citizens detained in Georgia last week during an immigration raid.
U.S. immigration officials confirmed they had taken 475 people into custody at a car battery plant, with more than 300 of them South Korean nationals. Authorities said those arrested were working illegally.
The plant, currently under construction, is a joint project between Hyundai and LG and represents one of the largest foreign investments in the state of Georgia.
The operation is part of a broader immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump, who has pledged to take tough action against unauthorized workers. But the detention of so many South Koreans has created diplomatic strain with Seoul, a key ally and major investor in the U.S. economy. The South Korean government issued a statement expressing “concern and regret” over the raid and urged Washington to safeguard the rights of its citizens.
Officials in Seoul worked throughout the weekend to secure the release of those detained. On Sunday, the two sides reportedly reached an agreement to repatriate the workers on a chartered flight, though the timeline and logistics for their return remain under negotiation.
The raid came just two weeks after South Korea pledged billions of dollars in fresh investment for U.S. industries, particularly in advanced manufacturing such as electric vehicle batteries. The incident has raised questions about whether foreign companies will be able to recruit the expertise needed to expand operations in the U.S. under current visa restrictions.
The White House defended the enforcement action, downplaying concerns it could undermine foreign investment. On Truth Social, Trump said the U.S. would “make it easy for foreign companies to legally bring their great technical talent, to build World Class products,” but insisted that such firms must also “hire and train American workers.”
Before departing for Washington, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun briefed lawmakers in Seoul, acknowledging the difficulties South Korean specialists face in obtaining work visas. He vowed to find a swift resolution and emphasized that Seoul is seeking a voluntary repatriation of its citizens rather than deportation.
Those arrested are currently being held at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Folkston, Georgia. Video footage released by ICE showed groups of Asian workers in shackles, some wearing yellow vests labeled “Hyundai” and “LG CNS.”
“Individuals on short-term or recreational visas are not permitted to work in the United States,” ICE said in a statement, arguing the operation was necessary to protect American jobs.
LG Energy Solution, Hyundai’s partner in the venture, said dozens of its employees had been swept up in the raid. According to the company, 47 LG staff members and about 250 contractor workers were detained. LG insisted many of its employees were visiting the U.S. on legitimate business visas or traveling under the visa waiver program.
In response, LG has suspended most business trips to the U.S. and instructed employees currently on assignment there to return home immediately.
South Korean media outlets have reacted sharply, with major newspapers describing the incident as a “shock.” The influential Dong-A Ilbo warned that the raid could have “a chilling effect on the activities of our businesses in the United States.”
The factory at the center of the dispute is part of a flagship project to boost electric vehicle production in the U.S. Georgia’s Republican governor had hailed it as the largest economic development initiative in the state’s history, expected to create 1,200 jobs.
