Koreans Arrested and Detained in Georgia, U.S.: "Extremely Shocking"
Chartered Flight Departs Tomorrow... "Finalizing Administrative Procedures"
"Visa System Reform to Be Resumed"
Kim Yongbum, Chief Presidential Secretary for Policy, commented on the recent incident in which a large number of Koreans were arrested and detained at the Hyundai Motor Group-LG Energy Solution joint battery plant construction site in Georgia, United States, saying, "It was extremely shocking," and added, "We conveyed the public outrage felt by our people directly to the United States."
At a discussion hosted by the Korea Broadcasting Journalists Club on this day, Kim stated, "The government is doing its utmost to complete the final administrative procedures so that every single individual can return home voluntarily, not through deportation," explaining the current situation.
He also said that the Korean government had lodged the strongest possible protest with the U.S. authorities. Kim remarked, "We expressed our concerns and regrets in the strongest diplomatic terms," and added, "The Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy issued a strong protest, not in diplomatic language." He continued, "We are responding with all possible efforts in this manner, and fortunately, the White House fully understands our position and is finalizing the administrative procedures."
Over 300 Korean workers detained locally will soon return to Korea on a chartered flight. Kim said, "The chartered flight will depart tomorrow," and explained that negotiations are underway regarding the procedures, as the place where the Koreans are detained is far from the Atlanta plant and requires transportation by bus.
Regarding the improvement of the visa system previously mentioned by Kang Hoonshik, Chief Presidential Secretary, Kim emphasized that although anti-immigration sentiment is rising in the United States, this incident must serve as an opportunity to achieve institutional reform.
Kim stated, "The government and companies have been making every effort for over 10 years to promote legislative changes, but the number of lawmakers introducing bills in the U.S. Congress is gradually decreasing," adding, "This indicates that anti-immigration sentiment is intensifying."
Nevertheless, Kim added, "Fortunately, judging from what President Trump said yesterday, he understands the situation in great detail and with accuracy," and stressed, "We must turn this crisis into an opportunity and achieve institutional reform. If necessary, the Presidential Office and the White House should form a working group to find short-term solutions, and in the long term, we must push for legislative changes again."
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