South Korean President Vows Support amid US Immigration Raid at Hyundai Plant
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has ordered a full government response to the recent arrest of hundreds of his nationS citizens during a U.S. immigration raid.
- Hundreds of South Koreans were arrested in a U.S. immigration raid.
- The raid occurred at a Hyundai Motor car battery factory in Ellabell, georgia.
- The operation is reportedly the largest single-site enforcement action by the Department of Homeland Security.
ELLABELL, Ga. – South Korean President lee Jae Myung declared on Saturday that his government would make every effort to support the hundreds of its citizens apprehended in a U.S. immigration raid. The arrests took place at a Hyundai Motor car battery factory.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun confirmed on Saturday that a dedicated team has been formed to address the situation. The arrests occurred on Thursday. Over 300 Koreans were taken into custody at the facility in Georgia. Cho stated he might travel to Washington to engage with officials if necessary.
“we are deeply concerned and feel a heavy sense of obligation over this matter,” Cho said.
The raid, which detained approximately 475 workers at the plant near Savannah, is part of an intensified immigration crackdown.It marks the largest single-site enforcement operation in the history of the U.S. Department of homeland Security.
Homeland Security officials reported that the detained workers were prohibited from working in the U.S. This was due to reasons such as illegal border crossing or visa overstays.Steven Schrank, special agent in charge of investigations for Georgia, detailed the timeline. He explained during a press briefing that the examination spanned several months.
“This was not an immigration operation were agents went into the premises, rounded up folks and put them on buses,” Schrank stated.”This has been a multi-month criminal investigation.”
The operation stemmed from allegations of “unlawful employment practices and serious federal crimes,” Schrank told reporters on Friday. The investigation targeted the Hyundai Motor-LG Energy Solution joint venture plant in Ellabell.
A spokesperson for Hyundai Motor clarified that none of those detained were directly employed by the automaker. The company is “closely monitoring” the situation at the Georgia construction site. They are “working to understand the specific circumstances.”
Hyundai stated that Chris Susock, its chief manufacturing officer for North America, would “assume governance of the entire megasite in Georgia.”
The company added, “We will conduct an investigation to ensure all suppliers and their subcontractors comply with all laws and regulations. Hyundai has zero tolerance for those who don’t follow the law.”
LG Energy Solution issued a statement indicating it was “gathering all relevant details” and would “fully cooperate with the relevant authorities.”
schrank confirmed that the majority of the 475 individuals detained at a Georgia facility are South Korean nationals. South Korean media reports suggest the number of detained South Koreans is around 300.
Social media footage depicted an individual in a vest bearing the acronym HIS (Homeland Security Investigations) informing workers in yellow safety vests, “We have a search warrant for the whole site. We need construction to cease immediately. We need all work to end on the site right now.”
The U.S. Department of Justice released a statement noting that some individuals attempted to flee during the raid. A few had to be retrieved from a sewage pond on the premises.
South Korea had previously appealed to Washington to uphold the rights of its citizens.This was before Minister Cho’s remarks on Saturday.
“The economic activities of our investors and the legitimate rights and interests of our nationals must not be unjustly infringed in the course of U.S. law enforcement,” said foreign ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong on Friday.
South Korea, the fourth-largest economy in Asia, is a significant producer of automobiles and electronics. The nation operates numerous plants within the United States.
Korean companies have invested billions of dollars in U.S. factories. This strategy aims to access the U.S. market and sidestep tariff threats.
The South Korean president met with U.S. President Donald Trump last month. In July, Seoul committed to significant U.S. investments.
Trump has made promises to revitalize U.S. manufacturing.He has also vowed to deport millions of undocumented immigrants.
