US releases video of Hyundai workers’ arrest: South Korea sees it as a “blow” to bilateral relations
Seoul and Washington face a new diplomatic challenge. After a summit that was expected to create progress in economic cooperation, the US government unexpectedly released a video of a raid that arrested hundreds of workers at a Hyundai car battery plant in Georgia. The move drew a strong reaction from South Korea, calling it a “regrettable act” that could erode the trust that had just been built.
Controversial video right after the summit
On Thursday, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a large-scale operation, arresting about 475 workers, including more than 300 Koreans, at a facility related to Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution. Just a day later, ICE released a video showing workers being handcuffed and escorted onto buses, with the participation of helicopters and armored vehicles.
The images were widely circulated at a time when the two governments were hailing the outcome of the summit between President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung – a boost that is expected to open a new chapter in trade and investment.
Seoul: “The rights of Korean citizens must be protected”
South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo directly called her US counterpart Allison Hooker, stressing her disappointment that the incident happened “at a time when mutual trust needs to be maintained”. Seoul demanded that Washington resolve the incident fairly and quickly and ensure the legitimate rights of Korean citizens.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun also convened an emergency meeting, saying the South Korean government is ready to send a delegation to Washington if necessary. LG Energy Solution has suspended business trips to the US and sent a human resources leader to Georgia to support detained workers.
Allies face a difficult test
This case is not only a legal issue but also a political one. For South Korea, a series of large corporations such as Hyundai, LG and Samsung have invested tens of billions of dollars in the US in recent years, considered pillars of strengthening the alliance. However, the public arrest of their workers could cause domestic pressure and raise concerns about the investment environment.
In the US, Georgia lawmakers and some Asian-Pacific American congressmen criticized the Trump administration's actions, saying that this is a "stereotypical campaign to meet deportation targets" instead of focusing on violent crimes.
Trump: "ICE is just doing its job"
When asked, President Trump emphasized: "They are illegal immigrants. ICE is just doing its job." The remarks could further heighten diplomatic tensions, as Seoul looks to build a relationship based on trust and the protection of citizens’ interests.
Conclusion
After a much-lauded summit, US-ROK relations now face a new test. For Seoul, protecting citizens and maintaining investor confidence are top priorities. For Washington, the raid is part of a tough immigration policy. The question is: can both sides pass this diplomatic test or let it overshadow their expanding economic cooperation?