South Korea is condemned support for citizens detained by ice

The South Korean government held an emergency meeting and promised to quickly respond to the arrests of hundreds of citizens at a large -scale immigration raid at a Hindai factory in the United States.

Seoul has sent diplomats to the Georgia site, while LG Energy Solution, which manages the Hyundai plant, said he stopped most business trips to the United States.

US officials detained 475 people – mainly South Korean citizens – who said they were found to be working in the battery illegally, one of the largest projects for foreign investment in the country.

The White House defended the operation, rejecting fears that the attack could deter foreign investment.

“They were illegal aliens, and ice (immigration and customs implementation) were just doing their job,” President Donald Trump said after the attacks on Friday.

A video published by ICE officials showed that Asian workers were shackled in front of a building, some of which worn yellow vests with names such as “Hyundai” and “LG CNS”.

“People in short or leisure visas are not authorized to work in the US,” Ice said, adding that the attack is necessary to protect US jobs.

“This operation is sending a clear message that those who use the system and undermine our labor force will be held accountable,” Stephen Schrank in a Saturday statement said in a statement from the Special Interior Security Agent (HSI).

South Korea, a close ally of the United States, promised tens of billions of dollars in US production investment, in part to compensate for tariffs.

The time of the attack, as the two governments are involved in sensitive trade conversations, has caused concern in Seoul.

Trump has actively encouraged major investments from other countries, while tightening visa distributions for foreign companies.

Many of the arrested LG employees were on business trips with different visas or on a visa waiver program, employees say.

South Korea Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said he had a “great sense of responsibility for the arrest of our citizens” as he chaired an emergency meeting on Saturday.

He said the government had created a team to respond to the arrests and that it could travel to Washington if necessary.

On Saturday, LG Energy Solution said he sends his chief human resource employee Kim Ki-su to the Georgia site on Sunday.

“We are making every effort to secure the rapid release of detainees from our companies and partner companies,” a statement told the South Korean media.

“We confirm regular medicines for families through an emergency network for detained and we plan to ask for the necessary medicines to be delivered to the detainees.”

The company said it stops most business trips to the United States and directs US assignment employees to return home immediately.

South Korean media widely described the attack as a “shock” when Dong-a newspaper Ilbo warns that it can have a “freezing effect on our business in the United States.”

The factory, which is making new electric vehicles, was advertised by Georgia’s Republican governor as the largest economic development project in the history of the country where 1200 people employ.

The arrested workers were kept in an ice establishment in Volkston, Georgia until the agency decides where to move them afterwards.

The LG Energy Solution said that 47 of its employees and about 250 workers for contractors at a joint venture factory were detained.