Foreign Minister: "Broad Agreement Reached to Prevent Disadvantages for Detained Workers in Future U.S. Entry"

Minister Cho Attends Emergency Inquiry of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee

On September 8, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun stated that a broad agreement had been reached with the U.S. side to ensure that the Koreans who were arrested and detained by U.S. immigration authorities at the Hyundai Motor Group-LG Energy Solution battery plant construction site in Georgia, USA, would not face disadvantages during future re-entry into the United States.

Cho Hyun, Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee's current issues inquiry held at the National Assembly on the 8th and responded to lawmakers' questions regarding the U.S. immigration enforcement authorities' crackdown on illegal stay and employment targeting Korean companies in Georgia, USA. 2025.9.8 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Minister Cho made this statement while attending an emergency current issues inquiry of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee at the National Assembly, in response to questions from Lee Yongseon, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea. He explained, "We are awaiting final confirmation procedures." Even if the detained Korean workers return home voluntarily, they could face disadvantages when re-entering the United States in the future depending on their individual visa or residency status. He emphasized that discussions are underway with the U.S. side to prevent such disadvantages.

In response to a question from Lee Jaejeong, another Democratic Party lawmaker, about whether the voluntary departure would result in a five-year entry ban to the United States, Minister Cho replied, "I can assure you that the negotiations are proceeding in a direction that will avoid such outcomes."

Meanwhile, Minister Cho is scheduled to depart for the United States later in the afternoon to finalize administrative procedures related to the voluntary departure of the detained Korean workers. During his visit, he is expected to meet with high-ranking U.S. administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and discuss improvements to the visa system.

Minister Cho also addressed calls to use this incident as an opportunity to discuss visa issues with the U.S. authorities, stating, "We will negotiate everything possible, whether it is the E-4 visa, quotas, or any combination of the two."