South Korean President vows support to Koreans arrested in US immigration raid
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A raid at a construction site for an electric vehicle battery plant in Ellabell, Georgia, on Sept 4.
PHOTO: BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS AND EXPLOSIVES VIA NYTIMES
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SEOUL - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung ordered all-out efforts on Sept 6 to respond to the arrests of hundreds of the nation's citizens in a US immigration raid on a Hyundai Motor car battery factory.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said the government has set up a team to respond to the Sept 4 arrest of over 300 South Koreans at the facility, under construction in the southern state of Georgia, and that he may go to Washington to meet with officials if needed.
“I am deeply concerned. I feel heavy responsibility for the arrests of our citizens,” Mr Cho told an emergency government meeting.
The incident could exacerbate tensions between the Trump administration and Seoul, a key Asian ally and investor in the US.
They have been at odds over the details of a trade deal that includes US$350 billion (S$449 billion) of South Korean investment in the US.
A video released by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement shows Asian workers shackled at the wrists, waist and ankles getting on a bus after the raid, which involved a helicopter and armoured vehicles.
In the video, hundreds of workers are standing in front of a building, with some wearing yellow vests with names such as “Hyundai” and “LG CNS”.
The arrest of some 475 workers
Two of the workers hid in a pond before being arrested.
“We welcome all companies who want to invest in the US, and if they need to bring workers in for building or other projects, that’s fine – but they need to do it the legal way,” Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama Steven Schrank said in a statement on Sept 6.
“This operation sends a clear message that those who exploit the system and undermine our workforce will be held accountable.”
Hyundai said it would investigate its suppliers and their sub-contractors to ensure they meet regulations.
LG Energy Solution, which is working with Hyundai to build the factory, said it had asked employees to return from US business trips while suspending travel to the United States except for customer meetings.
LG Energy Solution said 47 of its employees and about 250 workers for contractors at the joint venture factory were detained. REUTERS
