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| ▲ Foreign ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong speaks during a press briefing regarding the U.S. raid on a South Korean electric vehicle battery plant construction site in Georgia, at the foreign ministry in Seoul, on Sept. 5, 2025. (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ This photo, captured from the social media X account of the Atlanta bureau of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, shows agents carrying out a raid at the Hyundai Motor-LG Energy Solution venture's electric vehicle battery plant construction site in Ellabell, located in Bryan County, west of Savannah, in Georgia, on Thursday. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
(3rd LD) Hyundai-LG-US raid
(3rd LD) S. Korea says rights must not be 'unfairly violated' after U.S. raid on Hyundai-LG battery plant site
(ATTN: ADDS Hyundai Motor's quote in paras 15-16)
By Kim Seung-yeon and Chang Dong-woo
SEOUL, Sept. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Friday voiced "concern and regret" after more than 300 South Koreans were taken into custody in a major U.S. immigration raid at an electric vehicle (EV) battery plant site in Georgia, urging that individuals' rights must not be unfairly infringed.
The foreign ministry issued the statement after the U.S. authorities detained as many as 450 workers at the EV batter plant construction site operated by Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution Ltd. in Ellabell, located in Bryan County, west of Savannah, on Thursday (local time).
Among them, more than 300 workers are South Koreans, a diplomatic source said.
The U.S. authorities said it was part of an investigation into undocumented individuals and they face possible charges of illegal stay, according to local media reports quoting immigration authorities.
"The economic activities of our companies investing in the U.S. and the rights and interests of our nationals must not be unfairly violated," ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong said in a press briefing.
"We conveyed our concern and regret through the U.S. Embassy in Seoul today," Lee said.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Homeland Security Investigations sent agents to the construction site to carry out a search warrant.
Seoul did not receive any prior notice through diplomatic channels from Washington regarding the raid, a ministry official said on condition of anonymity.
The official declined to give further details, such as specific reasons for the raid and detainment, saying that the government is doing its best to grasp the situation at this stage to respond appropriately.
"We understand that there have been arrests or detainments under the immigration policy of the Donald Trump administration, and we're providing all necessary consular support," the official added.
Seoul dispatched embassy and consular officials in Washington and Atlanta to the site, and instructed local diplomatic missions to set up an on-site task force to deal with the matter, the ministry said.
The individuals from Seoul arrived in the United States on a B1 visa, issued for business purposes such as attending meetings or signing contracts, or under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) visa waiver program for short-term stays.
The South Korean consulate in Atlanta is forming a legal team, including Korean American lawyers, and they plan to visit the facility where the workers are being held, a consulate official said.
LG Energy Solution said it is "currently assessing the specific situation," adding, "We are actively cooperating with the South Korean government and relevant authorities to ensure the safety and swift release of our employees and partner staff."
An official at Hyundai Motor Group's Seoul headquarters said none of its employees have been confirmed among those detained so far.
"We are currently identifying the specific situation and intend to make utmost efforts to take necessary measures for the safety of those on site," the official added.
Concerns have also been raised over potential disruptions to Hyundai Motor Group's other projects in the U.S., as multiple construction works are planned.
Upcoming projects include a new robot plant with an annual capacity of 30,000 units and the construction of a steel mill in Louisiana with a production capacity of 2.7 million tons.
The South Korean auto giant also plans to expand its production capacity from 300,000 to 500,000 vehicles at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, the group's newly opened EV and hybrid car manufacturing plant, in Georgia.
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