US immigration agents stormed Hyundai’s electric vehicle plant in Georgia and detained 475 workers, including more than 300 South Korean nationals, in a raid that unsettled Seoul and strained its ties with Washington.
ICE officials said the operation followed a lengthy investigation into labour violations.
They argued that South Korean nationals had taken jobs illegally while holding short-term visas.
Footage showed agents escorting workers in yellow vests marked with Hyundai and other South Korean firms.
Seoul Moves To Protect Citizens
Meanwhile, the White House quickly defended the crackdown.
President Donald Trump labelled the detainees “illegal aliens” and praised immigration officers for “doing their job.”
In addition, his border adviser Tom Homan warned that further raids would soon follow.
In response, Seoul moved swiftly to protect its citizens.
South Korean officials negotiated an agreement with Washington to release the detainees.
The presidential chief of staff, Then Kang Hoon-sik, announced that a chartered plane would bring them home once paperwork ended.
He also promised to tighten South Korea’s visa system to avoid similar incidents.
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Economic Ties Under Strain
Furthermore, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun prepared to travel to Washington on Monday for urgent talks, while South Korea dispatched diplomats to Georgia to support the detainees.
President Lee Jae-myung ordered aides to defend both the rights of South Korean citizens and the business operations of national firms in the United States.
At the same time, the opposition People Power Party criticised the government and warned that the raid “could pose a serious risk” to South Korea’s economic interests.
Finally, the incident struck at a sensitive moment.
South Korea has pledged billions in US manufacturing to ease tariffs and strengthen trade ties.
Yet the image of Hyundai workers in handcuffs now threatens to undermine the trust between two allies bound by both commerce and security.
