South Korea Urges US for Quick Release of Detained Workers Amid Immigration Raid

On Wednesday, September 10, South Korea made a formal request to the United States for the swift release of hundreds of Korean workers who had been detained during an immigration enforcement action at a Hyundai construction project in Georgia. During a meeting at the White House, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun emphasized that the detained individuals should not be treated as criminals and asked for their release without the physical restraint of handcuffs.

Last week, around 300 South Korean workers were arrested in a raid that also apprehended 175 other individuals at the site of a $4.3 billion initiative involving Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution, aimed at constructing batteries for electric vehicles. Reports from South Korea indicated that these workers were scheduled to leave the detention facility on a chartered flight, following a planned bus departure.

Cho proposed that the two countries engage in discussions to establish a new visa category, which could help prevent similar incidents in the future. He also requested that the status of the detained workers not hinder their future travel plans to the United States. The immigration raid, described as the largest individual-site operation led by the US Department of Homeland Security, caused significant concern in South Korea, especially as the nation was negotiating a new trade agreement with the US.

Prior to the meeting, South Korea's foreign ministry stated it was working with US officials to facilitate the safe return of the workers, although logistical issues were noted. While the US State Department did not mention the ongoing immigration matter following the meeting, they acknowledged the importance of South Korea's investments and discussed the need for a fair trade partnership. Rubio assured Cho that President Trump had directed him to prioritize the resolution of this issue. Furthermore, there was dialogue regarding the distribution of defense spending, reiterating US expectations for South Korea to increase its financial contributions toward the presence of American troops stationed in the country. It is worth noting that US immigration authorities traditionally use handcuffs when deporting individuals, a practice that has faced criticism from several nations.