Georgia Governor in Korea Offers Deep Sympathy to Victims of Detention Incident

Brian Kemp, Governor of Georgia, USA, visited Korea and issued an apology regarding the large-scale detention of Korean workers, pledging to cooperate to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

Yeohan Gu, Director General for Trade Negotiations at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, is meeting and shaking hands with Brian Kemp, Governor of Georgia, USA, on the 23rd at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

In an interview with Yonhap News on the 24th, Governor Kemp stated, "The recent detention incident is deeply regrettable," adding, "I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to those affected and to the people of Korea."

He further explained, "Although this incident was the result of federal-level actions, as a state government, we always keep communication channels open with our partners," and, "We are helping our partners stay in close contact with the relevant federal agencies and the Korean Consulate General." He added, "Going forward, we will continue to actively cooperate to identify and respond to such risks in advance."

Governor Kemp expressed a positive stance on improving the visa systems between South Korea and the United States. Regarding discussions between the two governments on visa system improvements, he said, "We recognize the necessity and are engaged in productive discussions with our federal partners to resolve this issue. I have also spoken directly with President Donald Trump. I explained that skilled Korean workers are needed for equipment setup, adjustment, and workforce training, and President Trump understood this need." Specifically, he mentioned that during his call with President Trump, he proposed the need for a 90-day visa dedicated to manufacturing, and President Trump responded positively.

Governor Kemp expressed hope that this incident would serve as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. He said, "Korea has always been a special partner to both myself and the state of Georgia," and, "This visit is also to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the opening of Georgia's Seoul office, reaffirming the strong trust and cooperative relationship between both sides and to envision a shared future." He continued, "During this visit, I emphasized that a single unfortunate event cannot undo the friendship built over 40 years," and, "The relationship between Korea and Georgia is based not just on business, but on friendship. I look forward to another wonderful 40 years beyond the past four decades."

Governor Kemp arrived in Korea the previous day and met with major companies investing in the United States. It is reported that he met with Hyundai Motor Group Vice Chairman Jang Jaehoon to discuss various issues, including resolving the recent incident and future investments.