🚁 This week, U.S. federal agents carried out their largest single-site enforcement operation ever, raiding a Hyundai Motor-LG Energy Solution plant near Savannah, Georgia. The result: about 475 workers arrested, over 300 of whom are South Korean nationals. 😮
Video footage released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement showed workers with hands and feet shackled, boarding buses under helicopter and armored-vehicle escort. Two workers even tried to hide in a nearby pond before being detained.
In Seoul, Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hun-sik announced that once administrative steps are cleared, a plane will be sent to bring the detained workers home. ✈️ Foreign Minister Cho Hyun called the incident deeply concerning, and Park Yoon-joo, the first vice foreign minister, urged Washington to secure a swift, fair resolution.
LG Energy Solution confirmed 47 of its staff were arrested – 46 South Koreans and one Indonesian – and has suspended non-essential U.S. trips. Hyundai said none of those detained were directly employed by the firm.
On the U.S. side, Homeland Security special agent Steven Schrank explained the raid was part of a multi-month criminal probe into alleged unlawful employment practices. Those illegally present or with expired work visas are in ICE custody, facing potential removal.
This raid comes just after Seoul and Washington signed a major trade deal, including a $350 billion fund to help Korean companies in the U.S. market. With U.S. President Trump eyeing an APEC visit to Seoul in October, both sides are eager to maintain strong ties.
To avoid repeats, South Korea plans to review visa rules for workers heading to the United States, aiming for a system that safeguards rights and complies with U.S. law. 🤝 Stay tuned as we follow developments in this unfolding story!
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
