President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea just raised eyebrows after a recent US immigration raid in Georgia detained about 300 Korean workers at a Hyundai Motor project site 😮.
Lee called the raid a "confounding event" that sparked major confusion, saying many Korean firms may now hesitate to pour money into US ventures.
The incident sent shockwaves through Seoul as businesses worry about the risks of sending skilled teams abroad for factory builds or tech transfers.
On the diplomatic front, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun flew to Washington to smooth things over. He told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Korean workers came to share know-how and help boost US manufacturing.
Korean companies also pointed to strict US visa limits for skilled workers, which can make it tricky to train local staff or manage big builds from abroad.
Now, the two allies are discussing ways to streamline visa processing and find reasonable solutions. It may not erase the jitters, but it is a step toward clearer rules.
For startups and young pros in South and Southeast Asia, this saga is a reminder of how policy shifts can ripple through global supply chains—aka your future job or investment plans. Think of K-pop crews needing smooth visas for US tours—tech and auto teams face the same maze 🎶✈️.
Stay tuned as this story unfolds. In a world where talent mobility is key, visa vibes can make or break cross-border collaborations 🌏🚀.
Reference(s):
South Korea's Lee: U.S. immigration raid may deter investment
cgtn.com
