South Korean President Urges U.S. Visa Reform After Controversial Immigration Raid

Mon Oct 20 2025 22:33:57 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Following a massive immigration raid resulting in the detainment and later release of South Korean workers in Georgia, President Lee Jae Myung highlights the urgent need for U.S. visa reforms to promote Korean investments in the U.S.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expresses concerns about U.S. visa policies delaying investments from Korean companies, especially after a recent immigration raid swept up over 300 workers. The South Korean government demands reforms to facilitate skilled labor entry and argues the cultural mismatch in immigration enforcement between the two nations. A joint working group is proposed to address these visa issues.

SEOUL, South Korea (OnPoint) — In light of a recent U.S. immigration raid that resulted in the detention of over 300 South Korean workers, President Lee Jae Myung warned that Korean companies may rethink investing in the United States unless there are significant improvements to Washington's visa system.

During a news conference marking his first 100 days in office, Lee called on U.S. authorities to address the existing shortcomings in the visa system. The September 4 raid at a Hyundai construction site in Georgia led to large-scale arrests that sparked outrage back in South Korea.

After interventions by South Korea's Foreign Ministry, the U.S. released 330 detainees, including 316 Koreans, with plans to repatriate them on a charter flight to South Korea. The incident, coming shortly after a summit between Presidents Lee and Trump, was perceived as a betrayal and has put further strain on bilateral relations.

Lawmakers across South Korea condemned the actions of U.S. authorities, describing them as heavy-handed. The raid has raised questions about the cultural differences between the two nations regarding immigration policies.

In South Korea, we often see Americans working on short-term visas in various roles. Yet the U.S. fails to allow our technical workers who are essential for setting up factories to stay longer, Lee explained, emphasizing that without proper visa reforms, Korean firms hesitate to expand operations in the U.S.

To ease the situation, both countries have proposed forming a working group aimed at establishing a new visa category to facilitate the entry of skilled South Korean workers into the U.S. This aims to streamline processes for companies looking to send staff for short-term industrial projects.

Lee's comments underscore the urgency of resolving these visa issues as delays could hinder ongoing projects, including significant industrial developments across multiple states. Experts warn that failure to act could negatively impact both the South Korean economy and the broader U.S. market.