South Korea Reacts to Hyundai Plant Immigration Raid in the US

Tue Sep 23 2025 13:47:02 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Seoul's government convenes an emergency meeting following the detention of nearly 500 South Korean nationals at a Hyundai battery plant in Georgia. Diplomatic efforts are underway to secure the release of workers and maintain foreign investment relations.

In response to a significant immigration raid at a Hyundai-operated battery plant in Georgia, where nearly 500 South Korean citizens were detained, South Korea's government held an emergency meeting, pledging a swift diplomatic response. Meanwhile, LG Energy Solution announced a suspension of most business trips to the US amid concerns that the incident could negatively impact ongoing trade relations and foreign investments. The White House defended the operation, asserting the need to uphold US immigration laws while the South Korean government is offering support for its detained nationals.

South Korea's government has held an emergency meeting and vowed to swiftly respond to the arrests of hundreds of its citizens in a massive immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in the US.

Seoul has dispatched diplomats to the site in Georgia, while LG Energy Solution, which operates the plant with Hyundai, announced it was suspending most business trips to the US.

US officials detained 475 individuals—primarily South Korean nationals—identified as illegally working at the battery facility, a notable foreign investment project in Georgia.

The White House defended the operation, dismissing concerns that the raid could deter foreign investment.

President Donald Trump supported the actions taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), stating that they were merely enforcing the law regarding illegal aliens.

Videos released by ICE depicted detained workers in shackles, with many wearing identification vests indicating their affiliation with Hyundai and LG CNS.

ICE explained that individuals on short-term or recreational visas are not authorized to work in the US and labeled the operation as necessary for safeguarding American jobs.

South Korea maintains close ties with the US and has committed significant investment into American manufacturing, but the timing of this raid amidst sensitive trade negotiations has caused alarm in Seoul.

Many of the arrested LG employees were in the US on business trips or under visa waivers, prompting an emergency response from South Korea's Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun, who expressed responsibility for the situation.

LG Energy Solution declared efforts to secure the release of its detained employees, along with coordinating support for their families.

The raid has been met with shock by South Korean media, emphasizing potential repercussions on US business operations.

The facility in question is a critical site for electric vehicle production, previously highlighted by Georgia's governor as a major economic achievement for the state.

The detained workers were moved to an ICE facility in Folkston, Georgia, as the agency assesses their case outcomes.