A sweeping early-morning raid by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Hyundai-LG battery factory construction site in Ellabell, Georgia, ended with the detention of roughly 475 workers, about 300 of them South Korean nationals. The incident froze work at the $7.6 billion complex and sent shockwaves through Seoul and Washington alike.
Fury in Seoul, pressure on Washington
The fallout in South Korea was immediate and intensely political. President Lee Jae Myung called the raid a “serious violation of rights,” pledging government action and expressing personal responsibility for the Koreans’ safety.
In a bid to defuse tensions, Seoul dispatched Foreign Minister Cho Hyun to Washington while Korean Air readied a Boeing 747 to bring detained workers home.
Diplomatic and economic fallout
South Korea’s main opposition party called the operation an “unprecedented diplomatic disaster,” while ruling party leaders demanded an explanation from the White House.
The episode has cast a shadow over the multi-billion dollar investments flowing from Seoul to the U.S., with many now questioning the reliability of bilateral ties.
Hyundai, LG scramble to respond
Both Hyundai and LG Energy Solution said they are fully cooperating with U.S. authorities and have paused construction activities. LG confirmed that about 50 of its direct employees were among those detained, while most others worked for contractors attached to the HL-GA Battery Company.
Uncertainty surrounds workers’ status
U.S. officials stated that the detained workers included individuals who entered the country without proper documentation, overstayed visas, or violated the conditions of the visa waiver program, which prohibits employment.
Attorneys say the process of clarifying each worker’s status remains ongoing, fueling further anxiety for families and executives on both sides of the Pacific.
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Sources: CNN | BBC | Washington Post
