South Korean Minister Heads to U.S. for Worker Release Post Raids

Mon Oct 20 2025 22:27:51 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

South Korea's Foreign Minister departs to finalize the return of hundreds of South Korean workers detained in an immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia, a move causing outcry in Seoul.

In a surprising turn of events, South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is set to travel to the U.S. to ensure the return of South Korean workers following a large-scale immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia, where 475 workers, including 300 South Koreans, were detained. The raid has raised significant concerns about U.S.-South Korea relations and the implications for bilateral investments. Many South Koreans express feelings of betrayal, as this incident unfolds just weeks after promises of substantial investments from South Korea.

SEOUL, South Korea — In a dramatic response to the detention of several hundred South Korean workers during a recent immigration raid, South Korea's foreign minister has departed for the U.S. on Monday. The raid, which took place at a Hyundai battery factory under construction in Georgia, has sent shockwaves throughout South Korea, raising questions of loyalty and trust between allies.

On September 4, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carried out the operation, leading to the detention of 475 individuals, with over 300 of them identified as South Korean nationals. Disturbing images surfaced showing some detainees shackled during the operation, evoking outrage and disbelief in Seoul.

The U.S. has since agreed to release the detained workers, and arrangements are being made for their return via charter flight once necessary administrative measures are finalized. This development offers a glimmer of relief; however, it does little to assuage the feelings of betrayal among South Koreans who perceived the raid as a hostile act against their citizens.

Former President Donald Trump, whose administration spearheaded the immigration crackdown, defended the operation, stating that the workers were in the U.S. illegally. Trump's comments urging South Korea to send its experts rather than allowing unlawful employment have exacerbated tensions amid calls from South Korean lawmakers for substantial changes in bilateral relations.

As such incidents unfold, political ramifications in both countries are visible. South Korean officials have criticized the raid, labeling it a 'serious matter' and calling for a reassessment of the partnership.

Experts on U.S.-South Korea relations, such as Paik Wooyeal from Yonsei University, have suggested that this clash over immigration policy will have lasting consequences on investment dynamics between the two nations, hindering U.S.-affiliated projects in South Korea.

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun noted during a recent legislative hearing that South Korean companies, now uncertain about the U.S. work visa system, might reconsider their investments in the country. Lawmakers have expressed deep concern over the operation, with some suggesting potential countermeasures against American citizens working illegally in South Korea.

This incident is drawing scrutiny from the domestic media as well, with leading South Korean newspapers questioning the reliability of the U.S. as a partner. In light of the ongoing tensions over North Korean aggressions, the South Korean government is tread with caution, as significant retaliatory measures are deemed unlikely.

As negotiations to secure the return of the detained workers continue, the ramifications of the raid linger, casting a shadow over the future of South Korea's investments and their bilateral relations with the U.S.