Seoul: Foreign Minister Cho Hyun announced on Saturday the possibility of an official visit to the United States to address concerns regarding the recent detention of hundreds of South Koreans by U.S. immigration authorities. The arrests occurred at a South Korean-operated battery plant site in Georgia.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho revealed during an emergency meeting that more than 300 of the 457 individuals detained are South Korean nationals. He expressed a "heavy sense of responsibility" and emphasized the urgency of resolving the matter. The meeting included two vice ministers, ministry officials, and representatives from overseas missions.
Cho stated the government's intention to send a senior foreign ministry official to the site promptly and indicated his willingness to travel to Washington to engage in discussions with the U.S. administration if necessary. President Lee Jae Myung has directed officials to make concerted efforts to ensure the protection of South Korean nationals' rights and business interests in the U.S.
In a related development, Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Ji-na voiced regret and concern over the crackdown during a meeting with acting U.S. Ambassador to Seoul, Joseph Yun. The raid, conducted at a construction site operated by HL-GA Battery Co., a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Co. and LG Energy Solution Ltd., is part of a criminal investigation into alleged unlawful employment practices.
U.S. President Donald Trump commented on Friday, labeling the detained individuals as "illegal aliens" and supporting the actions of immigration officials. Steven Schrank, a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Georgia, noted that those in custody include individuals who violated visa terms or overstayed their visas. Most detainees are currently held at a facility in Folkston, Georgia.
HL-GA Battery Co. has halted construction to cooperate with authorities. The raid has been described as "the largest single site enforcement operation in the history" of the HSI. In response, LG Energy Solution has suspended all business trips to the U.S. and advised current visitors to either remain in their accommodations or return home. The company's chief human resources officer is set to travel to the U.S. to address the situation.
Of the detainees, 47 have been identified as LG Energy Solution employees, while the remaining are associated with HL-GA Battery. These individuals were reportedly engaged in final construction tasks, such as electrical installations, at the plant, which is slated for completion next year.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released a video of the raid, showing workers being screened, handcuffed, and transported in vehicles. ICE reiterated its support for foreign investment but stressed the necessity of compliance with U.S. laws.