The government of South Korea has announced it will investigate possible human rights violations after a large-scale raid and detention of Korean workers by US authorities. The incident occurred at a Hyundai-operated electric vehicle battery plant in the US state of Georgia, raising concerns about the treatment of foreign workers in the country.
South Korea Demands Answers After US Raid on Workers
A presidential spokesperson stated on Monday that South Korea has expressed “strong regret” to the United States over the incident. The government has officially requested that US authorities do not infringe upon the rights and interests of its citizens during any law enforcement proceedings.
Federal agents raided the plant in the early hours and detained numerous workers, holding over 300 South Korea employees for a week before they returned home last Friday. Witnesses said the workers felt confused and frightened during the operation. Some were reportedly led away in chains, while others struggled to understand what was happening.
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The raid has become a point of tension between the two countries, particularly because South Korean companies are planning to invest billions of dollars in the United States under a trade deal aimed at avoiding high tariffs. These investments are crucial for the growth of South Korea’s electric vehicle industry and for strengthening trade ties with the US.
The presidential spokesperson said authorities will collaborate with the relevant companies to “thoroughly investigate any potential human rights violations or other issues.” The BBC reached out to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for comments regarding the raid and detention of South Korean workers.
President Lee Jae-myung described the situation as “bewildering” and noted that sending workers overseas is a common practice for South Korean companies when establishing factories abroad. He warned that such raids could discourage foreign investment in the United States, highlighting the broader economic implications of the event.
Details of the South Korean Workers’ Raid and Detention
On 4 September, federal agents arrested approximately 475 individuals, mostly South Korea nationals, at the Hyundai-operated facility. This operation marked the largest single-location immigration raid since US President Donald Trump launched a crackdown on illegal immigration earlier this year.
ICE officials confirmed that the authorities detained workers who had either overstayed their visas or were not permitted to work in the United States. However, South Korea authorities questioned how officials handled the operation, noting that many workers companies had legally sent to assist in setting up the plant.
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Witnesses said the raid caused panic and confusion among the workers. Federal agents led some away in chains, while others tried to understand what was happening around them. The sudden operation created a stressful environment, leaving workers uncertain about their legal status and treatment.
Hyundai stated that the raid disrupted operations and will delay the plant’s opening by at least two months. South Korea trade unions also urged former President Trump to issue an official apology, emphasizing the negative impact on workers and the broader South Korea business community in the United States.
The incident has prompted South Korea to take immediate diplomatic steps to protect its citizens and raised questions about how US authorities treat foreign employees under immigration law.
US Response and Reassurance to Workers from South Korea
In response to the incident, Donald Trump reassured foreign workers that they are welcome in the United States. Speaking on his Truth Social platform, Trump emphasized that he does not want to “frighten off” investors and foreign professionals.
He added that the US benefits from the expertise of foreign specialists in fields such as shipbuilding, chipmaking, and computing. “We welcome them, we welcome their employees, and we are willing to proudly say we will learn from them, and do even better than them at their own ‘game,’ sometime in the not too distant future,” Trump stated.
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The raid and its aftermath have tested diplomatic and economic ties between South Korea and the United States. While the US continues to enforce immigration laws, South Korea is taking steps to ensure that the rights of its citizens are respected during such operations.
South Korea has reiterated that protecting its workers is a priority, and the government has promised to closely monitor the situation. The incident underscores the delicate balance between enforcing immigration rules and maintaining strong trade and investment relationships between countries.
