An immigration raid at a Hyundai electric vehicle plant in Georgia that saw hundreds of South Korean nationals detained has stirred unease in Seoul and raised questions over its economic ties with Washington.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said on Friday that 475 people were taken into custody in the operation, more than 300 of them South Korean citizens. Federal agents descended on the factory, where Hyundai produces electric vehicles, in what authorities described as part of a months-long investigation into labour practices.
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Footage released by ICE showed convoys of government vehicles arriving at the site, with agents ordering workers to line up outside. Some were frisked, shackled, and placed on buses. Many of those detained were wearing yellow vests marked with the names of Hyundai and other South Korean firms.
ICE said the raid targeted individuals working illegally in the United States. “People on short-term or recreational visas are not authorised to work in the US,” the agency said, adding that the operation was designed to protect American jobs. Homeland Security Investigations official Steven Schrank said the move “sends a clear message that those who exploit the system and undermine our workforce will be held accountable.”
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The White House defended the action. Donald Trump, the president of the United States said the workers were “illegal aliens” and immigration officers were “just doing their job.” Tom Homan, the administration’s border adviser, told CNN that further worksite raids were likely.
In Seoul, the government announced it had reached an agreement with Washington to secure the release of its citizens. Kang Hoon-sik , the Presidential chief of staff said a chartered plane would be arranged to bring the workers home once the necessary administrative procedures were complete. He added that South Korea would look into improving its visa system to prevent similar incidents.
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Cho Hyun, the Foreign minister is expected to travel to the United States on Monday for talks. Officials in Seoul said they had conveyed “concern and regret” over the detentions and dispatched diplomats to Georgia to assist their nationals. President Lee Jae-myung instructed aides to ensure the rights of South Korean citizens and the operations of its companies were not undermined.
The main opposition People Power Party criticised the incident, warning it “could pose a serious risk” to South Korea’s interests in the United States.
The raid comes at a sensitive moment, as Seoul has pledged billions of dollars in investment in American manufacturing to offset tariffs and strengthen trade relations.
