Daijiworld Media Network – Seoul

Seoul, Sep 5: A sweeping US immigration raid at a Hyundai-LG battery plant under construction in Georgia has led to the detention of hundreds of South Korean nationals, drawing a sharp response from Seoul.

South Korea’s foreign ministry on Friday confirmed that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carried out the raid on Thursday. “Multiple Korean nationals were detained,” spokesperson Lee Jae-woong said, adding that Seoul had conveyed its “concern and regret” to the US Embassy and dispatched diplomatic staff to the site.

According to AFP, about 300 South Koreans were among those detained. The US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said that nearly 450 “unlawful aliens” were held during the enforcement action at the Hyundai-LG joint venture site.

Lee stressed that the “economic activities of our investors and the legitimate rights and interests of our nationals must not be unjustly infringed in the course of US law enforcement.”

Officials from Homeland Security Investigations said the raid targeted unlawful employment practices, noting that US citizens and lawful permanent residents working at the site were released.

The development comes just weeks after Seoul pledged $350 billion in US investments to ease tariff threats from President Donald Trump, who has vowed to pursue the largest migrant deportation program in American history.

Hyundai and LG, which have pumped billions into new US plants to secure market access, reacted cautiously. Hyundai declined to comment, while LG Energy Solution said it was closely monitoring the situation and prioritising employee safety.

The incident has raised concern in Seoul over whether its massive US investments are being undermined by Washington’s aggressive immigration enforcement.