South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun has urged the U.S. Congress to back a new visa program for Korean businesses after a major immigration raid led to the detention of over 300 Korean workers in Georgia. The workers, linked to Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution’s joint battery plant, were held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for a week before being released and flown home on Friday.
During meetings with U.S. senators in Washington, Cho stressed concerns about the treatment of Korean professionals involved in U.S. investment projects. He emphasized the need for long-term solutions to prevent similar disruptions, which threaten trade negotiations and future South Korean investment in America.
The immigration raid has caused significant delays, with Hyundai CEO Jose Munoz confirming the battery plant’s launch will be postponed by at least two to three months. This setback comes at a critical time as both nations work to strengthen economic cooperation.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated the detained workers were on the wrong visas, urging Korean companies to apply for proper work permits. He suggested President Trump would push for short-term work visa arrangements, allowing companies to bring specialists temporarily while training U.S. workers.
South Korean firms have long criticized the difficulty of securing short-term visas for specialized staff at advanced manufacturing facilities in the United States. Many had relied on looser interpretations of visa rules under past administrations.
Following the raid, Washington and Seoul agreed to explore creating a new visa category tailored for South Korean professionals. Seoul’s foreign ministry stressed that safeguarding workers’ rights is essential for honoring corporate commitments and maintaining investor confidence in the U.S. market.