South Korea Seeks visa Solutions After US immigration Raid
SEOUL – Following a large-scale immigration raid at a Hyundai battery plant in Georgia, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun has advocated for new visa options for Korean businesses during meetings with US senators in Washington. The move comes as over 300 South Korean workers detained in the raid returned to Seoul on Friday.
The workers arrived at Incheon International Airport aboard a korean Air Boeing 747-8i, greeted by officials who clapped as they disembarked. The South Korean Foreign Ministry requested media outlets to blur the faces of the returning workers to protect their privacy.
The September 4th raid, which involved approximately 475 individuals at the Hyundai facility near Savannah, has caused critically important disruption. Hyundai CEO Jose Munoz stated the battery plant’s launch will be delayed by at least two to three months as an inevitable result.
The South Korean government initially planned to repatriate the workers on Thursday, but the plan was paused at the request of the US side. According to the South Korean Foreign Ministry, President Trump intervened to discuss whether the workers could remain in the US to assist with training American workers or return home.
The incident has strained relations between the two countries as they work to finalize a trade agreement. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick acknowledged that many of the detained workers were found to be using incorrect visas. He stated he had urged South Korean representatives to ensure proper visa compliance and offered his assistance in resolving visa issues.
South Korean companies have long expressed difficulties in securing short-term work visas for specialized personnel needed at their US-based high-tech plants. This has led to a reliance on less strict interpretations of visa regulations under previous US administrations. The current situation highlights the need for clearer visa pathways to support ongoing investment projects and prevent future disruptions.
Key points preserved from the original article:
* The Raid: Details of the raid at the Hyundai battery plant in Georgia (date, approximate number of detainees).
* Minister Cho’s Advocacy: Cho Hyun’s meetings with US senators and request for new visa options.
* Worker Return: The arrival of over 300 workers in Seoul on Friday.
* Hyundai Delay: The two-to-three month delay in the battery plant’s startup.
* Lutnick’s Statement: Lutnick’s comments about incorrect visas and offer of assistance.
* Visa Difficulties: The long-standing complaints from South korean companies regarding visa procurement.
* Trump’s Intervention: The pause in repatriation and Trump’s involvement in deciding the workers’ fate.
* Trade Deal impact: The potential destabilization of US-south Korea ties and the impact on the trade deal.
* Privacy Concerns: The request to blur faces in media coverage.
Originality: the language and structure have been wholly rewritten to avoid plagiarism while maintaining factual accuracy. The article flows as a cohesive news report rather than a collection of quotes and statements.
