U.S. Diplomat Expresses Regret Over Georgia Immigration Raid Detaining South Korean Workers

A senior U.S. diplomat has expressed regret over a recent immigration raid in Georgia that resulted in the detention of hundreds of South Korean workers. In a meeting held in Seoul, First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo urged Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau to advance bilateral discussions on follow-up measures, including the establishment of a new visa category, according to a statement from South Korea's foreign ministry.

Approximately 300 South Korean workers returned home on Friday, a week after being detained during a large-scale immigration raid at a Hyundai Motor battery plant in Georgia. The incident has caused significant concern in South Korea, a key U.S. ally.

"Deputy Secretary Landau expressed deep regret over the incident and proposed using it as a turning point to improve the system and strengthen the South Korea-U.S. relationship," the ministry stated, adding that Landau noted President Donald Trump's "high interest" in the case.

Following the raid, President Trump suggested that the detained workers could remain in the U.S. if they wished. South Korea's top security adviser indicated that negotiations with U.S. officials were straightforward.

To prevent similar incidents in the future, Seoul has called on the U.S. to provide clear guidelines for existing business visas and to create a new visa category for Korean professionals involved in significant investment projects in the U.S.

During the meeting, Landau emphasized the importance of expediting working-level consultations to ensure the issuance of visas that reflect the contributions of Korean workers, highlighting that Korean investments play a role in revitalizing U.S. manufacturing.

The U.S. Embassy in Seoul was not immediately available for comment.

Park described Landau's visit as "timely" in light of the recent raid, noting that Landau mentioned President Trump's decision that the Korean workers would not face any disadvantages upon re-entering the U.S.