South Korea’s foreign minister is going to the United States to bring back hundreds of Korean workers who were arrested last week in Georgia.
US officials detained 475 people, including more than 300 South Koreans. They were accused of working illegally at a car battery factory. The factory is being built by Hyundai and LG, two big South Korean companies. It is one of the largest investment projects in Georgia.
The raid upset the South Korean government. Seoul said it feels “concern and regret” and asked the US to respect the rights of its citizens. South Korea worked all weekend to help the workers. A deal was made for them to return home on a chartered flight, but the details are still being discussed.
The raid came just two weeks after South Korea promised to invest billions of dollars in US factories. Many in South Korea are now worried about whether their companies can safely do business in America if their workers cannot get visas easily.
President Donald Trump defended the raid. He said foreign companies are welcome to bring skilled workers, but they must also hire and train Americans.
The arrested Koreans are being held in an immigration facility in Georgia. Videos showed some workers in shackles and wearing yellow vests with the names “Hyundai” and “LG.”
LG said that many of its workers were on business trips with visas or visa waivers, not illegal workers. The company has now stopped most business trips to the US.
South Korean newspapers called the raid a “shock” and warned it could hurt investment. The battery factory had been promoted as the biggest project in Georgia’s history.
-Peace News Desk