Additional Coverage:
Georgia ICE Raid Tests US-South Korea Relations
A large-scale immigration raid at a Hyundai electric vehicle battery plant near Savannah, Georgia has sparked diplomatic tension between the United States and South Korea. Over 300 South Korean nationals were among the 475 individuals detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on September 4th, suspected of visa violations.
The raid has created negative sentiment in South Korea, where the incident has dominated news cycles. James Kim, Chairman and CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Seoul, acknowledged the strained atmosphere, but emphasized the enduring strength of the US-South Korea partnership.
The incident unfolded amidst a backdrop of significant South Korean investments in the US. South Korea holds the position of the largest foreign direct investor and sixth-largest trading partner. This economic interdependence adds another layer of complexity to the diplomatic challenge.
During a parliamentary session, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun faced intense questioning from lawmakers demanding a reciprocal investigation into US citizens potentially working illegally in South Korea. Cho subsequently met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss the situation and negotiate for an increase in visas for highly skilled Korean workers. The State Department’s official readout of the meeting focused on economic cooperation and did not mention the Georgia raid.
ICE stated that the raid was its largest single-site enforcement action to date. The agency alleges that the detained workers were either working on visas that didn’t permit manual labor or had overstayed business visit permits.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed concern over the incident, hoping that such “unfair infringement” of South Korean citizens and corporate activities would not recur. A poll in South Korea revealed that a majority of respondents viewed the US crackdown as excessive.
Former President Trump addressed the issue on social media, welcoming foreign investment while emphasizing the importance of legality. Industry experts caution that strict visa requirements could hinder future investment, especially given the shortage of skilled workers in key sectors like battery manufacturing and semiconductors.
Despite the current friction, both governments have expressed a desire to maintain strong bilateral ties. The South Korean Foreign Ministry revealed it has contacted the US government numerous times regarding visa issues since the start of Mr.
Trump’s second term. Kim, of the American Chamber of Commerce, views the situation as an opportunity to clarify regulations and strengthen the relationship.
He suggested that the US should consider a new visa policy for South Koreans given their significant investment in the country. Rubio, in his meeting with Cho, reiterated the US commitment to welcoming South Korean investment and deepening cooperation.