South Korean President Lee Jae Myung Warns of Investment Hesitation in US Following Immigration Raid
In the wake of a massive immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia, South Korean companies are likely to be "very hesitant" about investing in the United States, according to President Lee Jae Myung. The raid, which took place last week, resulted in the arrest of over 300 South Koreans who were working at the plant.
The detained workers have now been released from detention and are due to return home on Friday, after their departure was delayed by more than a day due to an instruction from the White House. According to President Lee Jae Myung, the delay was caused by President Donald Trump's decision to pause the release of the workers to check whether they were willing to remain in the US to continue working and training.
The immigration raid has sent shockwaves through South Korea's business community, with many companies expressing concerns about investing in the US. "We will be very hesitant to invest in the US," President Lee Jae Myung said in a statement. "This incident has caused significant damage to our country's reputation and trust in the US."
The Hyundai plant in Georgia is one of several major manufacturing facilities operated by South Korean companies in the US. The facility employs thousands of workers, including many from South Korea who were brought in under special work visas.
According to a report by the US Department of Homeland Security, the immigration raid was carried out as part of an effort to crack down on undocumented immigrants working at the plant. However, critics have accused President Trump's administration of using the raid as a way to intimidate and deport immigrant workers.
The incident has sparked concerns about the impact on South Korea-US relations and trade ties. "This incident has caused significant damage to our country's reputation and trust in the US," said President Lee Jae Myung. "We will need to carefully consider our future investment plans in the US."
As the detained workers prepare to return home, many are still reeling from their experience. "I was shocked and scared when I was arrested," said one worker, who wished to remain anonymous. "I just wanted to go back to my family and continue working at the plant."
The incident has also raised questions about the treatment of immigrant workers in the US. According to a report by Human Rights Watch, many immigrant workers are subjected to poor working conditions, low wages, and exploitation.
As the situation continues to unfold, President Lee Jae Myung's warning is likely to have significant implications for South Korea-US trade ties. The country's business community will be closely watching developments in the coming days and weeks as they consider their future investment plans in the US.
In related news, the White House has announced that it will conduct an investigation into the immigration raid and the treatment of immigrant workers at the Hyundai plant. The investigation is expected to provide further insight into the incident and its impact on South Korea-US relations.
The detained workers are due to return home on Friday, but their experience is likely to have a lasting impact on South Korea's business community and its relationship with the US. As President Lee Jae Myung warned, "We will be very hesitant to invest in the US" following this incident.
This story was compiled from reports by BBC World and BBC Business.
