A widespread immigration enforcement operation in Georgia, resulting in the apprehension of hundreds of individuals, has triggered a diplomatic dispute between the United States and a crucial Asian ally.
The country held an emergency meeting after 300 of its citizens were taken into custody at a Hyundai facility near Savannah, an event being characterized as the largest single-location enforcement action ever conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Cho Hyun, the nation’s Foreign Minister, stated he was “deeply concerned” by the operation and felt a “heavy responsibility” for the detentions. He further mentioned that President Lee had directed support for South Koreans apprehended during the immigration sweep, and had “underscored that during U.S. law enforcement actions, the rights of our citizens and the economic operations of South Korean investors in the U.S. must not be unfairly violated.”
“We plan to discuss deploying a high-ranking Foreign Ministry official to the location promptly, and should it become necessary, I will personally journey to Washington for discussions with the U.S. administration,” Cho informed reporters on Saturday.
In recent years, South Korea has stood as a steadfast economic and strategic partner to the United States. This alliance was recently strengthened by a trade agreement with President Donald Trump, where South Korea committed to investing $350 billion in the U.S., encompassing significant pledges in areas such as shipbuilding, electric vehicle batteries, and technology. A meeting between Lee and Trump at the White House less than two weeks prior concluded with what Trump termed a “full and complete trade deal” between the nations.
However, the recent raid in Georgia could undermine some of that diplomatic progress, especially since it targeted South Korea’s largest automotive manufacturer.
Jang Dong-hyeok, who chairs Korea’s primary opposition People Power Party, pressed President Lee on Saturday to act quickly, pointing to potential wider impacts on other Korean enterprises.
“At a juncture when many Korean companies are increasing investments and constructing facilities throughout the U.S., large-scale detentions of workers like these could present a significant national-level threat,” he stated, as reported by Korean media. On Friday, the South Korean government established an emergency response team, sending consulate representatives to the location of the enforcement action.
The operation also caused concern for the South Korean firm LG Energy Solution (LGES), a battery producer that jointly owns the facility. LGES declared on Saturday that it would halt employee business trips to the U.S. after 47 of its staff were taken into custody. It further recommended that any employees currently in the U.S. return to South Korea.
When questioned about potential damage to relations with South Korea caused by the raid, Trump came to ICE’s defense.
“I would assert that they were undocumented immigrants, and ICE was simply performing its duties,” he informed reporters.
Steven N. Schrank, the special agent overseeing Homeland Security investigations in Georgia and Alabama, issued a statement on Saturday indicating that the individuals apprehended were either residing in the country without authorization or engaged in unlawful employment.
“We encourage all businesses interested in investing in the U.S., and if they require personnel for construction or other initiatives, that is acceptable — provided they adhere to legal procedures,” he stated.
Schrank additionally informed journalists at the location on Friday that a number of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents had been held during the operation and subsequently released. In total, 475 individuals were taken into custody at the site.
