Return of Detained Workers
Following a U.S. immigration raid on a Hyundai and LG joint venture in Georgia earlier this month, South Korea has repatriated 316 skilled workers who had been held in custody for a week. The country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it is reviewing the case to determine whether the treatment of its citizens crossed the line into human rights violations.
Complaints About Detention Conditions
After the workers arrived in South Korea, many claimed that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents treated them like criminals. Several individuals reported being pressured to sign documents without a clear explanation of their content. The detainees were shackled and handcuffed before being transferred to a detention center in Folkston, Georgia, before officials from South Korea and the U.S. negotiated their release.
Government and Company Response
Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jun stated that the government continues to carefully examine whether there were human rights violations or inconveniences for its citizens. Another official added that no clear violations were found during consular meetings, but there were issues with access to medicine and the ability to make phone calls. U.S. officials assert that the arrests and the raid were conducted in full compliance with the law.
Donald Trump’s Position
Following the raid, it was revealed that U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that the Korean workers remain in the country temporarily to train local staff before returning home. Trump also noted on social media that he does not want to deter foreign companies from investing in the U.S.
“When foreign companies that build extremely complex products, machines, and various other ‘things’ come to the United States with massive investments, I want them to bring their experts for a period of time to teach and train our people how to make these unique and complex products, until they gradually return to their country,” he wrote.
Questions Regarding Employment Status
Immigration authorities stated that the detained individuals were either working in the country without permission or had overstayed their visas. Hyundai later noted that none of them were its direct employees, while LG Energy Solution, which operates the plant jointly with Hyundai, reported that several detainees had visas or had entered under the visa waiver program.
This situation raises important questions about international cooperation, workers’ rights, and immigration policy, which could impact future investments and business relations between countries. Similar incidents often lead to negotiations to improve conditions for foreign workers and ensure their rights are upheld in a global context.