South Korea urged the U.S. Congress to support creating a new visa for Korean businesses after hundreds of Korean workers were arrested in a large immigration raid at a Hyundai battery plant in Georgia. About 300 South Koreans, along with 150 others, were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement last week before being released and flown home from Atlanta. South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun raised the issue during meetings with U.S. senators, stressing concerns over the treatment of Korean professionals working on investment projects.
President Donald Trump offered to let the workers stay to help train Americans, but nearly all chose to return home, with only one remaining. The raid, carried out with armored vehicles and shackles, sparked outrage in South Korea and raised fears it could hurt trade talks and discourage investment in the U.S. Hyundai said the factory will face a two- to three-month delay as a result.
Washington and Seoul have agreed to explore a new visa category to prevent similar disputes, as South Korean firms have long complained about difficulties securing short-term work visas for specialists. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick admitted the detained workers had the wrong visas and urged Korean businesses to resolve visa issues directly with U.S. authorities.
Credit: CGTN
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