The United States President Donald Trump reduced concerns about the large immigration raid for Hyundai production facilities in Georgia and claimed that the incident would not harm the relations between Washington and Seoul.
“We have a strong relationship with South Korea; the Hyundai plant does not bother this relationship,” Trump said, answering questions about the air raid.
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Operations, led by US immigration and customs enforcement (ICE), led last Thursday for the arrest of nearly 500 individuals in Hyundai-LG batteries in Georgia Ellabell. Among the detainees were at least 300 South Korean nationals and 23 Mexican citizens, making it one of the largest immigration enforcement of one -time measures according to Trump’s administration.
Why were so many workers detained?
American officials say many of those arrested were illegally in the country. Trump defended the raid and said:
“I would say they were illegal aliens, and Ice has just done his job.”
However, the scope and method of operation caused outrage in South Korea, where officials criticized the US to release images showing detained workers in handcuffs and ankle chains accompanied by buses.
Also read | South Korea, US strike Agreement on the release of Hyundai staff detained in Georgia
How did South Korea react?
In a quick diplomatic step, the South Korean government announced that 300 of its detained citizens would soon be released and home.
Kang Hoon-Sik, Chief of the Staff of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, confirmed the development:
“As a result of the response to Swift and United … negotiations on the release of detained workers were concluded. Only administrative procedures remain. Once these completion are, the leased flight will be left to bring our citizens home.”
Seoul also committed to streamline the approach of a visa for South Korean nationals who work in the US to prevent similar incidents in the future
Also read | The Hyundai Raid construction site builds Trump’s competing agenda in the center of attention
What role did LG play in negotiations?
LG Energy Solution, a key partner in Hyundai, confirmed that 47 of its employees were detained – 46 South Koreans and one Indonesian.
Head of Kim Ki-Soo has traveled to Georgia to supervise the situation and say:
“The immediate priority is now the quick release of our LG Energy Solution employees and employees of our partner companies.”
South Korean officials estimate that approximately 250 detained workers were employed by LG suppliers, most of which are South Korean citizens.
Could this have an impact on US-South Korea?
The air raid comes in a delicate time for relations between the US and South Korea. Both countries have recently signed a business agreement that includes an investment fund of $ 250 billion to encourage the South Korean society to spread to US markets.
The Yoon-Joo Park, the first vice-president of South Korea, expressed concern to the US officials and said it was “deplorable” that such an raid occurred:
“The economic activities of our companies that have invested in the US and the rights and interests of our citizens should not be unfairly violated during US enforcement.”
What happens next?
While the release of detained workers is expected soon, the raid can continue to learn. Trump is scheduled to travel to South Korea in October at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), a visit that could now have more diplomatic significance.
This incident focused on the penetration of immigration policy, international trade and diplomatic relations, and raised questions about how Washington would equalize domestic recovery with his global economic partnerships.
For the time being, Trump remains firm in his attitude and indicates that the air raid was simply coercive measures and not by reflection of the voltage with the soul.
(Tagstotranslate) Trump Imigration Raid (T) Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Facility (T) South Korean nationals detaining
