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The South Korean government has held an emergency meeting after the arrest of hundreds of its citizens during a massive immigration operation at a Hyundai and LG Energy Solution factory in the US state of Georgia.
US authorities confirmed that about 475 people, mostly Koreans, were caught working illegally at the battery plant, one of the largest foreign investments in the region.
Footage released by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) shows Asian workers in handcuffs, some wearing yellow vests that read "Hyundai" and "LG CNS."
President Donald Trump defended the operation, saying: "They were illegal immigrants and ICE was simply doing its job. This is a clear message to protect American workers."
The US Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agency called the action necessary to curb abuse of short-term visas and prevent exploitation of the immigration system.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said he felt a “great responsibility” for the arrests of his country’s citizens and led an emergency meeting on the issue. He announced the dispatch of diplomats to Georgia and the establishment of a special crisis management team. The minister did not rule out the possibility of an urgent visit to Washington.
Meanwhile, LG Energy Solution said it is suspending most business travel to the US, pending further developments.
The event comes at a critical moment, when the US and South Korea are engaged in delicate trade talks, while Seoul has promised tens of billions of dollars in investment in American manufacturing to balance the tariffs imposed by Washington.
Trump, on the one hand, has strongly encouraged foreign investment in American industry, while on the other hand, he has significantly tightened visa policies for employees of foreign companies.
Many of those arrested were in the US on business, tourist or Visa Waiver Program visas, which do not authorize active work on US territory.
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