Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung voiced strong concerns that a recent immigration raid on a Hyundai-LG electric vehicle battery plant construction site in Georgia could discourage South Korean companies from investing further in the United States.
The raid, which detained over 300 South Korean workers, raised alarm about visa complexities and uncertainty in business operations. Lee noted that many of the detained technicians had entered the US on short-term business visas to install equipment and train local staff, stressing that such roles are temporary and vital for project completion.
He warned that without easing visa restrictions or creating new categories for temporary skilled workers, South Korean firms might reconsider their US investments due to fear of similar disruptions. According to Lee, detainees were preparing to return to South Korea following negotiations on their release.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun confirmed that Seoul and Washington had agreed to form a working group to explore new visa solutions, aiming to prevent similar incidents in the future. Lee emphasized that such measures are crucial to sustaining economic cooperation and trust between the two allies.
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