by Detention of Korean Workers at the Hyundai Plant in Georgia
Over 300 South Korean workers recently detained at a Hyundai plant in the state of Georgia received unexpected support from US President Donald Trump. He urged them to stay in the country to train American employees. However, this will not happen, as all of them will be deported to their homeland on a special Korean Air flight.
A week ago, US immigration services conducted a large-scale operation at a joint venture of Hyundai and LG in Georgia, detaining about 475 individuals deemed “unlawfully present.” It was later revealed that over 300 of those detained were qualified Korean specialists brought in to set up production, many of whom did not have proper work visas.
Position of the Trump Administration and South Korea’s Reaction
A total of 316 South Korean citizens were identified and released from the detention center on Thursday. According to an official spokesperson for the Korean foreign ministry, President Trump temporarily suspended their release to ascertain Seoul’s position on the possibility of these specialists staying to train American workers.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington earlier this week, stating the country wanted to return the workers to South Korea and may return them at a later date.
Visa Issues and Consequences for Investments
Many workers came to the US on temporary visa waivers or short-term business visas, as obtaining long-term work visas is a complex process. This incident caused outrage from South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, who noted that such actions could deter Korean companies from investing in the US.
“I think this will have a significant impact on direct investments in the United States moving forward. Our companies that have expanded overseas are probably very confused. We are not there for long-term research or employment. You need a facility manager to install the machinery and equipment when you establish a factory, right?”
Although many workers entered on B1 visas or through the ESTA program, they needed special visas such as H-1B, L1, or E2 for legal work. However, the process of obtaining them often takes months, complicating the swift movement of specialists.
This situation highlights the complexity of international business under strict immigration rules. The speed of business processes often conflicts with bureaucratic requirements, creating tension between partner countries. Future investments by Korean companies in the US may depend on changes in visa policy and a more flexible approach to temporary labor needs.
