An immigration raid on a Hyundai electric vehicle plant in the US that saw hundreds of South Korean engineers detained in shackles has triggered “a major diplomatic incident” and shaken Seoul’s confidence in Washington’s commitment to their alliance, analysts say.
US officials said 475 people – most of them South Korean nationals – were detained when federal agents raided Hyundai’s manufacturing site in the state of Georgia last Thursday.
It is the latest in a long line of workplace raids conducted as part of the current US administration’s mass deportation agenda.
In footage released by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, many of the detained workers were shown with chains around their hands, ankles and waists.
On Sunday, Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff for South Korean President Lee Jae-myung , said Seoul and Washington had finalised negotiations on the workers’ release.
More than 300 South Korean detained workers would be brought home via a chartered plane after completing administrative steps, he said.
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster