South Korean companies will be 'very hesitant' about investing in the US following a massive immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia last week, President Lee Jae Myung has said.
More than 300 South Koreans who were arrested in the raid have now been released from detention and are due to return home on Friday after their release was delayed by more than a day.
Lee emphasized that the situation is 'extremely bewildering,' as it's standard practice for Korean firms to send workers to help establish overseas factories. He noted that if South Korean employees are no longer permitted to work in the US, the decision to invest in American manufacturing will likely be reconsidered.
Amid the controversy, Seoul is negotiating with Washington to explore visa options for South Korean workers and is urging the US to act if deemed necessary.
Last week's operation saw US officials detain 475 individuals, including over 300 South Korean nationals, in what has been described as a shocking event by the media. LG Energy Solution, which operates the plant with Hyundai, noted that many detained employees were working under various visa categories.
The White House defended the immigration enforcement action and stated that it would facilitate lawful employment for foreign companies willing to comply with US immigration laws.
As South Korea continues to promise substantial investments in the US, the recent raid raises doubts about the future landscape of foreign direct investment from its firms.
