In a significant diplomatic incident, 316 Korean workers and 14 other foreign nationals were detained at a Hyundai-LG battery plant construction site in Georgia. This new operation started on September 4 with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents performing their biggest single-site raid ever. This raised the ire of both South Korea and the United States.
Authorities arrested workers who were working around the clock building a new $4.3 billion battery plant. This facility will be critical to Hyundai’s ambitions in the U.S. electric vehicle market. U.S. authorities abruptly intervened and accused the workers of breaking the terms of their B1 business visas. Unlike those who stayed within the allowable scopes of activities (meetings and trainings, for instance, permitted under the 90-day visa waiver program – Esta), they engaged in real on the ground employment.
Due to the lapse in ICE’s typical procedures, the workers suffered serious setbacks in their planned return from Georgia. President Donald Trump provided them a way to stay here and train Americans. Nonetheless, only one person decided to stay in the U.S. By Friday afternoon, the remaining 300 South Korean workers touched down at Incheon International Airport. They had endured a week-long trial, described by many as dehumanizing.
Reports from South Korean media soon revealed that the workers were in dire straits. This newspaper even likened their treatment to that of “prisoners of war.” This characterization has incited the rage of Koreans. Most of them express themselves as being “stabbed in the back” by what they perceive as a betrayal from their most trusted neighbor.
In response to the incident, South Korea’s new President Lee Jae Myung gave an electric warning to Washington. He wasn’t the only one who raised the alarm. If U.S. authorities cannot rapidly address any visa-related problems, Korean firms will be reluctant to invest in the U.S. directly.
In a survey conducted by MBC, 68% of respondents indicated that they believed the U.S. government “did not show consideration for South Korea as an ally” in handling this situation. To be sure, the horrific raid triggered massive diplomatic backlash. In response, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is coming to the U.S. on short notice to meet with his American counterpart, Senator Marco Rubio. Through this meeting, advocates were able to get guarantees that the workers who had been detained would not be handcuffed in transport.
“Trump, who do you think you are?” – Hong Jung-sik
Kang Hoon-sik, a representative involved in the situation, expressed regret over the duration of the ordeal:
“We did our best, but I’m sorry we couldn’t bring them back to their homeland sooner.”
The incident has since raised some key questions about U.S.-South Korea relations. It shines a light on the exploitation of foreign workers within the United States. As both nations navigate this diplomatic crisis, it remains unclear how it will impact future collaborations and investments between South Korean companies and American interests.