South Korean Foreign Minister Rushes to U.S. Amid Georgia Plant Raid Fallout

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun departed for the United States on Monday, September 8, 2025, in an urgent diplomatic mission to finalize the return of hundreds of South Korean workers detained last week in a massive immigration raid in Georgia. The incident, which saw 475 workers, over 300 of whom are South Korean, shackled during a raid on a Hyundai battery factory construction site on September 4, has ignited confusion, shock, and a profound sense of betrayal across the U.S.-allied nation.

Seoul announced Sunday that the U.S. has agreed to release the detained workers, with plans to send a charter plane for their repatriation once administrative steps are completed. U.S. President Donald Trump, who initially supported the raid, indicated Sunday night that arrangements could be made for South Korean workers to train U.S. citizens in battery and computer manufacturing.

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, speaking at a legislative hearing before his departure, described the raid as a “very serious matter” that was entirely unanticipated. Lawmakers from both liberal and conservative parties have vehemently criticized the American operation, questioning the viability of future South Korean investments in the U.S. if such incidents occur. Some even called for reciprocal investigations into alleged illegal American workers in South Korea.

The Georgia operation, the largest single-site enforcement by Homeland Security Investigations under the Trump administration’s deportation agenda, has stunned many in South Korea, especially following recent pledges of massive South Korean investment into the U.S. and a high-level summit between President Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in August. Experts warn of significant disruptions to South Korean companies operating in the U.S. and potential delays for projects like Hyundai’s EV battery plant, slated for early next year.

While U.S. officials, including Homeland Security Investigations lead agent Steven Schrank, cited reasons such as illegal border crossings, expired visas, or visa waiver violations for the detentions, South Korean officials and experts expressed frustration over stringent U.S. visa policies for skilled foreign workers. Foreign Minister Cho stated that the U.S. has “not responded adequately” to South Korea’s requests for expanded work visas and plans to leverage the Georgia raid to advance these negotiations, emphasizing the potential for significant U.S. losses if factory completion is delayed.

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