Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau apologized Sunday for the mass arrest of Korean workers during a Georgia immigration operation. The senior American diplomat met First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo at Seoul headquarters two days after 316 detained South Koreans returned home. Landau marked the first high-ranking US official to express remorse over the September 4 battery plant raid. The incident shocked Korean citizens when workers faced harsh treatment at detention centers. Park demanded concrete prevention measures and system improvements during their discussion.
American authorities detained employees at an electric vehicle battery facility operated by the Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution partnership. Landau promised returnees would face no reentry barriers and committed to preventing future occurrences. Both nations agreed to establish working groups to address visa reform and create specialized permits for Korean workers. South Korea invested $21.5 billion in America during 2023 and pledged an additional $350 billion under recent trade agreements. Current visa restrictions limit Korean specialty workers despite their substantial economic contributions.
American authorities detained employees at an electric vehicle battery facility operated by the Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution partnership. Landau promised returnees would face no reentry barriers and committed to preventing future occurrences. Both nations agreed to establish working groups to address visa reform and create specialized permits for Korean workers. South Korea invested $21.5 billion in America during 2023 and pledged an additional $350 billion under recent trade agreements. Current visa restrictions limit Korean specialty workers despite their substantial economic contributions.
