Guess what just happened at the Hyundai plant in Georgia? Last week, U.S. authorities raided the site, detaining hundreds of workers—about 300 of them are from South Korea. 😲 Now, Seoul is stepping in to bring them back home.
South Korea’s presidential office announced late Sunday that officials have wrapped up negotiations with U.S. counterparts to release the detained workers. As soon as both sides finish the paperwork, a charter flight will whisk them back to Seoul. 🛫🇰🇷
Why This Matters
This raid is part of the Trump administration’s broader push to crack down on illegal immigration and workplace violations. White House border czar Tom Homan has even vowed to expand similar raids across U.S. businesses. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has called on foreign companies to "respect our nation’s immigration laws."
Visa Fix on the Horizon
To prevent another drama like this, South Korea’s presidential chief of staff, Kang Hoon-sik, says the government will seek ways to improve the visa system for Korean workers traveling to the U.S. 🤝 Better visas could mean smoother journeys (and fewer surprise detentions).
Trade Talks & Future Visits
Despite the tension, both sides say their alliance remains strong. South Korea and the U.S. are still finalizing a trade deal announced in July, and President Trump even hinted that a visit to Seoul for the APEC summit in October is on the table. 🌏🤩
In the meantime, LG Energy Solution has paused most staff trips to the U.S., recalling employees who are currently there. And all eyes are on those 300 soon-to-be-freed workers as they touch down back home.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
