South Korean firms shall be “very hesitant” about investing within the US following an enormous immigration raid at a Hyundai plant within the state of Georgia final week, President Lee Jae-myung mentioned.
Greater than 300 South Koreans who had been arrested within the raid are because of return residence on Friday, after their departure was delayed “because of circumstances on the US facet”, officers mentioned.
“The state of affairs is extraordinarily bewildering,” mentioned Lee, noting that it’s common apply for Korean corporations to ship employees to assist arrange abroad factories.
“If that is now not allowed, establishing manufacturing amenities within the US will solely turn out to be tougher… making firms query whether or not it is value doing in any respect.”
Final week, US officers detained 475 folks – greater than 300 of them South Korean nationals – who they mentioned had been working illegally on the battery facility, one of many largest international funding tasks within the state.
A worker at the plant spoke to the BBC in regards to the panic and confusion throughout the raid. The worker mentioned the overwhelming majority of the employees detained had been mechanics putting in manufacturing traces on the web site, and had been employed by a contractor.
South Korea, a detailed US ally in Asia, has pledged to take a position tens of billions of {dollars} in America, partly to offset tariffs.
The timing of the raid, as the 2 governments have interaction in delicate commerce talks, has raised concern in Seoul.
The White Home has defended the operation on the Hyundai plant, dismissing considerations that the raid may deter international funding.
On Sunday, US President Donald Trump referenced the raid in a social media publish and known as for international firms to rent Individuals.
The US authorities would make it “shortly and legally attainable” for international corporations to convey employees into the nation in the event that they revered its immigration legal guidelines, Trump mentioned.
