(Adnkronos) – More than 300 South Korean citizens were arrested during an ICE anti-immigration raid at an electric battery production plant in the US state of Georgia. The South Korean news agency Yonhap clarified this, correcting the figures initially released. The news was met with “concern and regret” by Seoul ten days after the visit to Washington of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, who was welcomed by Donald Trump.
The Foreign Ministry issued the statement after learning that US authorities had arrested as many as 450 workers yesterday at the construction site for an electric vehicle battery production plant operated by Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution Ltd. in Ellabell, Bryan County, west of Savannah. Of these, over 300 are South Korean, a diplomatic source reported.
US authorities refer to an investigation into undocumented individuals who risk being charged with illegal stay, according to local media reports. “The economic activities of our companies investing in the United States and the rights and interests of our citizens must not be unfairly violated,” Ministry spokesman Lee Jae-woong said at a press conference. “We expressed our concern and regret today through the US embassy in Seoul,” Lee said. (continued)
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security Investigations sent agents to the construction site to execute a search warrant. Seoul received no prior notice through diplomatic channels from Washington regarding the raid, a Ministry official quoted by Yonhap said. The official declined to provide further details, such as the specific reasons for the raid and arrest, stating that the government is doing its best to understand the situation and respond appropriately. “We are aware of arrests or detentions under the Donald Trump administration’s immigration policy and are providing all necessary consular support,” the official added.
Seoul has sent embassy and consulate staff to Washington and Atlanta and has instructed local diplomatic missions to set up a task force on the ground to handle the matter, the ministry said. South Korean citizens arrived in the United States on a B1 visa, issued for business purposes such as attending meetings or signing contracts, or under the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) visa waiver program for short-term stays.
The South Korean consulate in Atlanta is forming a legal team, which includes Korean-American lawyers, and plans to visit the facility where the workers are being held, a consulate official said. LG Energy Solution said it “is currently assessing the specific situation,” adding: “We are actively collaborating with the South Korean government and relevant authorities to ensure the safety and speedy release of our employees and staff.” (continued)
Hyundai Motor Group’s Seoul headquarters has yet to issue a statement, with informed sources saying the company was busy trying to understand the circumstances of the raid. Concerns have also been raised about potential disruptions to Hyundai Motor Group’s other projects in the United States, as numerous construction works are planned.
Short-term projects include a new robotic plant with an annual capacity of 30,000 units and the construction of a steel mill in Louisiana with a production capacity of 2.7 million tons. The South Korean automotive giant also plans to expand its production capacity from 300,000 to 500,000 vehicles at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, the group’s new electric and hybrid car production plant in Georgia.
