South Korea has pledged urgent support for its nationals after hundreds of Korean workers were detained in a sweeping U.S. immigration raid at a Hyundai Motor car battery plant in Georgia. President Lee Jae Myung ordered government ministries to act immediately, while Foreign Minister Cho Hyun signaled he may travel to Washington to press U.S. officials for answers. The arrests, among the largest in U.S. history, threaten to strain ties between Seoul and Washington.
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Emergency Government Response
President Lee Jae Myung directed officials to mobilize all resources to address the crisis. In an emergency meeting, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said, “I am deeply concerned. I feel heavy responsibility for the arrests of our citizens.” He confirmed the creation of a special response team and emphasized that South Korea would intervene diplomatically if necessary, including direct talks with U.S. authorities.
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Scale of the Operation
According to U.S. officials, the arrests at the Hyundai-LG joint venture plant near Savannah involved roughly 475 workers. Reports say over 300 of them were South Korean nationals. The raid is part of President Donald Trump’s intensified crackdown on immigration, marking the largest single-site enforcement action in the history of the Department of Homeland Security.
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Hyundai-LG Factory Impact
The factory, a key site for U.S. electric vehicle battery production, became the focal point of the enforcement sweep. LG Energy Solution, Hyundai’s partner in the venture, reported that 47 of its own employees were detained alongside about 250 workers employed by contractors. The sudden disruption is expected to affect operations and deepen concerns for the employees’ families back home.
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Rising Diplomatic Tensions
The arrests come at a sensitive time for U.S.-South Korea relations. Seoul has already been clashing with Washington over trade agreements tied to a massive $350 billion South Korean investment in the United States. Observers warn that the crackdown could further inflame diplomatic strains between the allies, especially as South Korea presses for assurances on worker safety and fair treatment.
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Travel Restrictions Imposed
In the immediate aftermath, LG Energy Solution moved to suspend most U.S. business travel. The company instructed employees abroad to return home and limited future trips strictly to essential customer meetings. The decision underscores growing unease among South Korean businesses operating in the United States following the unprecedented raid.
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Largest Operation in History
Homeland Security officials described the sweep as unprecedented in scope. It reflects the Trump administration’s determination to pursue mass deportations and workplace enforcement as a cornerstone of immigration policy. For South Korea, however, the arrests are not just a political issue but a humanitarian one, sparking urgent calls for international dialogue.