South Korea Condemns Detention of Nationals in U.S. Immigration Raid at Hyundai EV Plant

As of September 5th, 2025, South Korea has strongly condemned a recent U.S. immigration enforcement operation that took place at a major Hyundai electric vehicle manufacturing site in Georgia. According to reports, the raid by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) resulted in the detainment of an unspecified number of South Korean nationals, with officials stating the number was "large."

The $7.6 billion Hyundai plant, which began EV production just last year, is considered the largest economic development project in Georgia's history. It employs around 1,200 people and has partnered with LG Energy Solution to build an adjacent battery plant set to open in 2026.

South Korea's Foreign Ministry has expressed "concern and regret" over the incident, dispatching diplomats to the site and forming an on-site response team. The ministry stated that the "business activities of our investors and the rights of our nationals must not be unjustly infringed" during U.S. law enforcement operations.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that agents were executing a search warrant as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into alleged "unlawful employment practices and other serious federal crimes" at the facility. However, they did not specify if any arrests were made. Hyundai and LG's battery joint venture said they are cooperating fully with authorities, while Hyundai's EV plant operations remain uninterrupted.