US diplomat expresses regret over immigration raid on Korean workers
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A South Korean worker detained during a US immigration raid at a US Hyundai plant returns to his family in Incheon.
PHOTO: AFP
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SEOUL – A top American diplomat expressed regret on Sept 14 over a US immigration raid that detained more than 300 South Korean workers and proposed making the event a turning point to strengthen bilateral relations.
In a meeting in Seoul, First Vice-Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo urged US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau to push forward bilateral discussions on follow-up measures, including a new visa category, the Foreign Ministry said.
Some 300 South Korean workers returned home massive immigration raid
To prevent the recurrence of such an incident, Seoul has called on the US to provide clear guidelines for existing business visas and create a visa category for Korean professionals to support massive investment projects by Korean businesses in the US.
Mr Landau called for Washington and Seoul to speed up working-level consultations to ensure the issuance of visas commensurate with the contributions of Korean workers, noting that Korean investments help rebuild manufacturing in the US, the ministry added.
Mr Park called Mr Landau’s visit “timely” in the wake of the raid, the ministry said, quoting Mr Landau as mentioning President Donald Trump’s decision that the Korean workers would not face any disadvantages when they re-enter the US. REUTERS
