The South Korean government has opened a full investigation into alleged human rights violations following the detention of hundreds of Korean workers during a US immigration raid at a Hyundai electric vehicle battery plant in Georgia.
Seoul expressed “strong regret” and formally demanded that the rights and interests of its citizens be protected during US law enforcement operations. More than 300 workers returned to South Korea last Friday after spending a week in US custody, while others remain under investigation.
President Lee Jae-myung condemned the raid as “bewildering” and warned it could discourage foreign investment. He stressed that it is standard practice for Korean firms to send workers to establish overseas factories and said criminalising the process was “unacceptable.”
The raid, described as the largest single-location immigration sweep since President Donald Trump’s renewed crackdown on illegal migrants, has delayed the plant’s opening by at least two months. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said the detained workers had overstayed visas or lacked proper authorisation. Witnesses reported panic and confusion as federal agents descended on the plant, with some workers reportedly led away in chains.
South Korean trade unions have demanded an official apology from Trump, accusing Washington of humiliating Korean nationals and straining bilateral ties.
Trump responded on Truth Social, saying South Korean specialists remain “welcome” in the US and that their expertise in industries like shipbuilding, chipmaking, and computing benefits America.
South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it will continue working with affected companies and international partners to ensure accountability and prevent future incidents.
