The South Korean government has called on the United States to guarantee the safety of its citizens following an immigration raid at a Hyundai factory in Georgia.
The diplomatic relationship between South Korea and the United States has become strained in recent days after hundreds of South Korean nationals were caught up in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sweep.
Around 450 workers at a Hyundai Motor battery facility in the US state of Georgia were arrested, with Korean media reporting that over 300 South Korean nationals were detained in the raid.
The Atlanta division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) reported that the arrests came while investigating "unlawful employment practices".
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The South Korean government has called for urgent action to support its citizens caught up in the raid at the Hyundai factory
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Hyundai Motor confirmed that it had paused work at the site following the raid, adding that it was cooperating with the relevant authorities.
The "enforcement operation" took place at the battery production facility, which is a joint venture between LG Energy Solutions and Hyundai Motor. It is hoped that the site will be operational by the end of the year.
The Hyundai and LG plant is believed to be one of the biggest investments in the state of Georgia, although experts have warned the raid could heighten tensions between South Korea and the US.
Both nations have been negotiating over a trade deal which could see South Korea invest $350billion (£259billion) in the United States.
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It is estimated that around 300 South Korean nationals were detained during the raid on the Hyundai EV battery factory
|ATFATLANTA
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said the government had set up a team to respond to the arrest of more than 300 Koreans at the plant in Ellabell, less than 30 miles west of Savannah.
The Minister hinted that he may visit Washington to meet with US officials if needed. He added: "I am deeply concerned. I feel heavy responsibility for the arrests of our citizens."
Kan Hoon-sik, Chief of Staff to the President of the Republic of Korea, said the South Korean government would be pushing for improvements to the visa system with the United States to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
He added that negotiations for the release of workers detained in the United States had concluded, noting that a chartered plane would depart for the United States "as soon as administrative procedures are completed."
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Alongside ICE and the ATF, teams from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) were present.
Images from the scene show workers wearing hi-vis vests, some of which are emblazoned with "Hyundai" on the front or back, being led away in zip-tie handcuffs.
The South Korean government added that it was "regrettable" that ICE and the ATF had released videos and pictures of the arrest of workers at the Hyundai facility, with First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo referencing the high-stakes trade deal.
Speaking to his counterpart, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, in a phone call, Yoon-joo said the raid came at a "critical time" when cooperation between the two countries should be maintained.
Hyundai opened the Metaplant America facility in March earlier this year
|HYUNDAI
US lawmakers from Georgia and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus said the enforcement operation was "deeply alarming".
A statement from the group said: "Instead of targeting violent criminals, the Trump administration is going after immigrants at work and in communities of colour to meet its mass deportation quotas.
"These senseless actions rip apart families, hurt the economy, and undermine the trust of our global partners," Reuters reported.
Hyundai Motor also confirmed that it would "investigate its suppliers" and subcontractors to ensure regulations were met.