Seoul: Foreign Minister Cho Hyun announced on Saturday the possibility of visiting the United States to address the arrest of hundreds of South Korean nationals by U.S. immigration authorities at a South Korean battery plant site in Georgia. The announcement comes in the wake of an immigration crackdown that saw more than 300 out of 457 detained individuals identified as South Korean nationals.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho presided over an emergency meeting to address the situation, emphasizing the South Korean government's deep concern and responsibility toward its nationals. The meeting was attended by high-ranking officials, including two vice ministers and representatives from overseas missions. Cho highlighted that President Lee Jae Myung has directed officials to prioritize resolving the issue promptly, ensuring the rights of South Korean nationals and the interests of South Korean companies investing in the U.S. are protected.
Further emphasizing the gravity of the situation, Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Ji-na expressed regret and concern during a meeting with acting U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Joseph Yun. First Vice Minister Park Yoon-joo later engaged in a phone conversation with Allison Hooker, U.S. undersecretary of state for political affairs, to seek the State Department's cooperation. Park stressed the importance of maintaining trust and cooperation between the two countries, especially following a recent summit between their leaders.
The U.S. authorities executed a search warrant at the electric vehicle battery plant owned by HL-GA Battery Co., a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Co. and LG Energy Solution Ltd., citing a criminal investigation into alleged unlawful employment practices. U.S. President Donald Trump described the detained individuals as "illegal aliens," affirming the immigration officials' actions as part of their duty.
Steven Schrank, a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Georgia, explained that those in custody included individuals who either entered through a visa waiver program that prohibited working or had overstayed their visas. Most detainees are currently held at a detention center in Folkston, Georgia.
HL-GA Battery Co. has paused construction and is cooperating fully with the authorities. LG Energy Solution has suspended business trips to the U.S. and instructed employees in the U.S. 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 those detained, 47 have been confirmed as LG Energy Solution employees, with the remainder associated with HL-GA Battery. The detainees were reportedly working on final construction tasks, such as electrical installations, ahead of the plant's completion next year.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released a video clip of the raid, showing individuals being screened, shackled, and transported. ICE reiterated the importance of legal compliance for companies investing in the U.S.