According to the latest reports, in response to the US arrest of Koreans working at a car battery factory under construction in Georgia, South Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yun-joo spoke with US Deputy Secretary of State Alison Hook on the 6th, expressing regret over the incident and requesting the U.S. State Department to intervene.
The US previously insisted that the arrested South Koreans had entered the country illegally, while South Korea stated that the legitimate rights and interests of its citizens must not be infringed. With each side holding its own view, why did the allies fall out, and what political consequences will this entail?
South Korea: Requesting state department intervention
US law enforcement officers recently raided an automotive battery factory under construction near Savannah, Georgia, arresting 475 workers, over 300 of whom were South Korean citizens.
The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs convened an emergency meeting on the 6th to discuss countermeasures. According to Yonhap News Agency, Park Yoon-joo, First Vice Foreign Minister, detailed the arrests of South Korean workers in a phone call with US Deputy Secretary of State Alison Hook on the 6th and requested State Department assistance.
The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs has previously stated its position on the arrests. South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman Lee Jae-woong stated on the 5th that the legitimate rights and interests of South Korean citizens and businesses must not be infringed.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun-sung stated on the 6th local time that he would travel to Washington, D.C., to directly engage in political and diplomatic consultations with the U.S. federal administration on the matter, if necessary.
Cho Hyun-sung stated that South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has issued instructions regarding the matter, urging the South Korean Embassy in the United States and the Consulate General in Atlanta to respond with all their strength and resolve the incident swiftly.
US: Arrested individuals entered the country illegally
Steven Schrank, an officer with the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) stationed in Savannah, said some of the 475 individuals arrested were employees of the battery factory, while others were employed by contractors and subcontractors involved in the construction of the factory. He stated that some of the individuals entered the United States illegally, while others entered legally but had expired visas or lacked work permits.
Schrank said that most of the arrested individuals have been detained at an immigration detention center in Folkston, Georgia. No criminal charges have been filed, and the investigation is ongoing.
U.S. President Trump expressed support for the law enforcement action on the 5th, calling the arrested individuals “illegal aliens” and stating that federal law enforcement was performing its duties in a normal manner.
South Korean company: Considering recalling employees
The battery factory under construction in question is a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Company and LG Energy Solution and is one of Hyundai Motor Company’s major investments in Georgia.
Hyundai Motor Company issued a statement stating that none of the individuals arrested were directly employed by the company and that it is reviewing the hiring processes of its suppliers and subcontractors. The company is closely monitoring the latest developments to assess the potential impact.
LG Energy Solution stated that it is “undertaking comprehensive efforts to completely suspend employee business travel to the United States and will consider recalling employees in the United States for business reasons.” It also plans to send senior executives to the United States on the 7th for consultations.
Impact: Potentially exacerbating tensions
The BBC reported that the raids could provoke a potential conflict between two of Trump’s top policy priorities: developing domestic manufacturing and combating illegal immigration. It also puts pressure on bilateral relations with South Korea, a key ally.
The battery plant under construction is one of Hyundai Motor Company’s major investments in Georgia. Reuters reported that the two sides recently disagreed over the details of the $350 billion in US investment in the South Korea-US trade agreement. This incident could exacerbate economic, trade, and political tensions between South Korea and the US, becoming the latest development affecting bilateral relations.
At the end of July, the US and South Korea reached a trade agreement under which South Korea would provide $350 billion to the US for US-owned and controlled investment projects. On August 25, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung visited the US and met with Trump at the White House. The two sides discussed trade cooperation and other issues, with Lee promising that South Korea would invest at least $150 billion in the US shipbuilding industry and key sectors. The US raid on the factory and arrests took place just 11 days after the meeting between the two sides. South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo commented that the arrests were a betrayal and a heavy blow to South Korea.
