WSJ: "More Temporary Visas Needed to Attract Investment"… Criticizes Detention Incident

"There Is No Skilled Workforce in the U.S."
"Georgia Raid Will Discourage Investment in America"

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) pointed out that the United States needs more temporary visas if it wants to attract more foreign investment, in response to the recent large-scale arrest of Korean workers at the Hyundai Motor Group-LG Energy Solution joint factory construction site in Georgia.

U.S. immigration enforcement authorities released videos and photos on their official website showing the crackdown on illegal residency and employment at the joint battery factory construction site of Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution in Georgia on the 4th (local time). Photo by Yonhap News Agency

In an editorial published on September 12 (local time), WSJ stated, "The indiscriminate raid by immigration authorities on the Hyundai Motor Group factory in Georgia on the 9th has sparked a strong reaction in South Korea."

WSJ also referenced remarks made by President Lee Jaemyung during his 100-day press conference on September 11. President Lee said, "You need technicians to install machinery and equipment, but the United States does not have such a workforce, and yet they do not issue visas for our people to stay and work. Companies establishing local factories will face disadvantages or difficulties, so it is inevitable to have concerns."

WSJ commented, "While Americans may find this uncomfortable to hear, it is true that the United States lacks the workforce to do this kind of work," stressing that President Lee's remarks deserve attention.

The editorial continued, "U.S. allies have shown a willingness to accept the Trump administration's tariff policies rather than face the risk of higher tariffs on their exports. However, this flexibility ultimately clashes with the patience of their own voters." The article noted that Koreans do not react positively to images showing people in handcuffs and chains.

WSJ added, "The Trump administration claims some workers crossed the border illegally and others were working with expired visas," but also pointed out that "raids like the one in Georgia are a factor that discourages the foreign investment President Trump seeks."

Previously, on September 4 (local time), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted a crackdown on undocumented workers at the Hyundai Motor Group-LG Energy Solution joint battery factory construction site in Savannah, Georgia, arresting a total of 475 people. Due to active intervention by the Korean government, 330 individuals, including Koreans and foreign nationals who were arrested at the site, were released and arrived at Incheon International Airport on Korean Air charter flight KE9036 on September 12.