South Korea objects as US immigration raids Hyundai plant

South Korea has complained about the arrests of hundreds of workers by American immigration officials in Georgia’s state of the state of Georgia.

Following the previous day’s raid, which resulted in the suspension of factory construction, the Seoul-based Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday demanded the respect of the country’s citizens and investors.

The episode highlights the disruptive impact that President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown is having on his efforts to entice foreign investment. The state of Georgia is home to the largest foreign investment, Hyundai-LG.

According to Lee Jaewoong, a spokesperson for South Korea’s Foreign Ministry, “the rights of our nationals and our business activities must not be unfairly violated in the course of US law enforcement.”

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has been strengthened by record funding and increased latitude when Trump took office in January.

The president has stated that he wants to deport “the worst of the worst” criminals. However, ICE data indicate a rise in non-criminal detention.

Although Lee did not specify exactly how many South Koreans were detained, media reports suggested that 300 or more had been taken into custody.

Up to 450 people were detained, according to a post from the US Justice Department agency ATF in Atlanta.

According to The Korea Economic Daily, LG Energy Solution (LGES) and Hyundai Motor Factory employees were among the people being detained.

According to the Reuters and AFP news agencies, about 300 of those are South Korean nationals, citing unnamed sources and South Korean media.

The detainees were being held at an ICE detention facility, according to a South Korean government official.

Lee stated that the ministry is preparing to take proactive steps in the investigation, including sending diplomats to the site from its Washington and Atlanta consulate, and creating a local mission-focused on-site response team.