More than 300 South Korean workers who were detained in a large immigration raid in Georgia returned to South Korea on September 12. The South Korean government announced that it is investigating potential human rights violations connected to the raid and subsequent detention of its citizens by US authorities.
A presidential spokesperson stated that South Korea has expressed “strong regret” to the United States and has formally requested that the rights and interests of its nationals be safeguarded during law enforcement actions. The incident has raised concerns regarding bilateral relations between South Korea and the US, especially as South Korean companies are poised to invest significantly in the US under a trade agreement aimed at preventing high tariffs.
On September 4, approximately 475 individuals were arrested at a Hyundai-operated electric vehicle battery plant in Georgia. This event was characterized as the largest immigration raid at a single location since the ramp-up of enforcement efforts by the US government earlier this year. Officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported that many of those detained were either in the US illegally or had overstayed their visas.
A worker who witnessed the raid described scenes of panic and confusion as federal agents arrived at the facility. Some individuals were reportedly seen being taken away in chains. In response to concerns about immigration and investment, former President Donald Trump has indicated that foreign workers are welcome in the US and expressed a desire to maintain a favorable environment for investors.
This situation continues to unfold, raising questions about the implications for South Korean citizens and the future of US-South Korea relations.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz9j585g23go?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss