Incheon: The chief executive officer (CEO) of LG Energy Solution Ltd. on Friday pledged to provide full support to company workers who returned home after a weeklong detention in the United States following an immigration raid at a battery plant construction site in Georgia. Kim Dong-myung made such a remark shortly after a Korean Air plane carrying more than 300 South Korean workers landed at Incheon International Airport.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim expressed gratitude for the efforts of government officials, stating, "Although there were many difficulties, government officials worked hard to achieve this outcome. We are very grateful for the extraordinary efforts that led to such a prompt release and for the careful discussions that ensured no disadvantages for their reentry into the U.S." The CEO emphasized that the company will "spare no effort" to support the returned workers so they can resettle smoothly.
The workers were detained last week in a sweeping immigration raid at the Georgia construction site for a battery plant to be operated by a Hyundai Motor Group-LG Energy Solution joint venture. Regarding the potential disruption to the plant's construction, Kim noted that the situation was still "manageable," countering some reports suggesting severe impacts.
The release of the workers from detention facilities in Folkston early Thursday (local time) was the result of intensive efforts by Seoul to secure their release and negotiate their return home with Washington. The situation prompted South Korea's top diplomats to travel to Washington to address the issue with officials from the Donald Trump administration, while senior Hyundai and LG executives also went to Georgia to manage the aftermath.
Negotiations resulted in an agreement with Washington to release the workers and allow them to return home voluntarily, rather than facing deportation, which could negatively impact their future travels to the U.S.