South Korean President Lee Jae-myung didn’t hold back when reacting to last week’s massive US immigration raid on the Hyundai-LG battery plant in Georgia, calling it “bewildering”🤯.
Lee said the sweep, which detained hundreds of workers mainly over minor visa infractions, sent shockwaves through Seoul’s top companies. Hundreds of detainees are expected to be released and flown back to South Korea✈️ by Thursday.
“In South Korea, we don’t treat minor visa mistakes as a serious issue,” Lee noted. He warns that this cultural gap could make businesses rethink whether setting up shop in the US is worth the risk.
As one of America’s biggest investors, South Korea’s top brands have poured billions into US factories and innovation hubs—especially in electric vehicle (EV) tech and batteries⚡. After this raid, companies “can’t help but question if direct operations in the US are truly feasible,” Lee added.
This raid was the largest single-site immigration sweep since the Trump administration ramped up enforcement in 2017. It came less than a month after President Trump hosted Lee at the White House.
For young professionals eyeing careers in global tech and manufacturing, this incident highlights the complex legal and cultural challenges that come with cross-border expansion. It’s a reminder that, even in a globally connected world, business culture clashes can have real impacts.
Stay tuned as Seoul and Washington navigate this tense moment—and what it means for the future of international investment🚀.
Reference(s):
South Korea says 'bewildering' immigration raid could chill investment
cgtn.com
