"Differences in Interpretation of the B1 Visa... To Be Discussed in the Working Group"
On September 12, Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoonshik stated, "We plan to actively pursue improvements to the U.S. visa issuance and residency qualification system in the future, including the new measures mentioned by U.S. President Donald Trump."
Speaking with reporters at Incheon International Airport in Jung-gu, Incheon, Kang addressed the repatriation of Korean workers who had been detained and held by U.S. immigration authorities at the Hyundai Motor Group-LG Energy Solution battery joint venture construction site in Georgia. He said, "We did our utmost, but I feel regretful that we could not bring them home sooner."
Earlier that day, at around 3:20 p.m., Korean Air charter flight KE9036, carrying 316 Korean nationals and 14 foreign nationals who had been detained by U.S. immigration authorities, landed at Incheon International Airport. The charter flight had departed from Atlanta Airport in the United States on the morning of September 11 (local time).
It was reported that none of the Korean workers who arrived on the charter flight complained of any significant health issues. First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Yoonjoo stated, "We did not find anyone who was seriously ill or had major health problems." Kang added, "There was one pregnant woman, so we arranged for her to be seated in first class and did our best to ensure her psychological comfort."
Regarding the one worker who chose to remain locally, continued support will be provided. Vice Minister Park explained, "This individual is currently still in the detention facility and is reportedly applying for bail through a private attorney. The Consulate General in Atlanta will continue to provide consular assistance until the very end."
In relation to concerns about the recurrence of similar situations in the future, First Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Moon Sinhak said, "We recently held meetings with about 20 companies investing in the U.S., and in most cases, those who had even slight concerns or suspected issues took preemptive action to return. Immediate issues have been resolved, and matters such as visas or residency qualifications will be addressed through discussions in the Korea-U.S. working group going forward."
On the visa issue, Kang stated, "There is a difference in interpretation between Korea and the U.S. regarding the B1 visa. We believed that work related to facilities and equipment was permissible under the B1 visa, and that Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) was equivalent. However, the U.S. side raised objections to this."
Kang continued, "It will take time to resolve these fundamental issues, and while adjustments are being made between Korea and the U.S., it is necessary to respond according to the local situation in the U.S. In the long term, we need to eliminate the potential for such issues through working group discussions between Korea and the U.S. so that our companies can invest with peace of mind."
Kang added, "I hope that the families who anxiously waited for news day by day without being able to sleep, as well as the Korean people who watched with concern, can now find comfort and rest. We will also look into providing psychological support measures to help those who have returned regain stability in their daily lives."
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