The South Korean government has expressed "regret" following the detention of hundreds of South Korean nationals after the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a crackdown on undocumented workers at a construction site for a Korean company’s factory on September 4 (local time).
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lee Jaeung is briefing on September 5 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Seoul regarding the U.S. authorities' crackdown on South Korean company factories. The spokesperson stated, "In the process of U.S. law enforcement, the economic activities of our invested companies and the rights and interests of our citizens must not be unjustly infringed." September 5, 2025, Yonhap News Agency
On September 5, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lee Jaeung held an unscheduled briefing, stating, "During the US law enforcement process, the economic activities of our invested companies and the rights and interests of our citizens must not be unfairly infringed." He added, "Today, we conveyed our concerns and regrets through the US Embassy in Seoul and requested special attention to ensure that the legitimate rights and interests of our citizens are not violated."
He further stated, "We are actively responding by dispatching the Consul General from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the United States and a consul from the Consulate General in Atlanta to the site, and have instructed the establishment of an on-site response team centered around our local diplomatic missions."
The target of this undocumented worker crackdown was the construction site of the joint battery factory (HL-GA Battery Company) of Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution located in Savannah, Georgia. US ICE and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) announced that approximately 450 people had been detained. According to sources, about 300 of them are South Korean nationals. However, the government is still working to confirm the exact number of detainees through its local diplomatic missions.
It is also reported that President Lee Jaemyung has been briefed on the incident and has ordered special attention and response.
The detained South Koreans are believed to be held in ICE detention centers. However, as it is still early morning local time, it is difficult to ascertain details regarding the legality of their visas or the specific reasons for their detention. There was no prior notice from the US side regarding this incident, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs became aware of the situation after receiving reports from local diplomatic missions. An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "We are continuing to verify the facts through the companies and local diplomatic missions," adding, "The Consul General from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the United States will be dispatched to the site, with instructions to make every effort in consular interviews and assistance."
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