A presidential spokesperson on Monday voiced “sturdy remorse” over the incident and demanded Washington make sure the rights of Korean nationals aren’t infringed throughout regulation enforcement operations.
Greater than 300 employees returned to Seoul on Friday after being held for every week following a raid at a Hyundai electrical car battery plant in Georgia.
The crackdown has strained ties between the allies, at the same time as South Korean companies put together to speculate billions of {dollars} in america to keep away from punitive tariffs.
Authorities in Seoul mentioned they may work with affected corporations to “completely examine any potential human rights violations or different points.”
The raid has fueled anger in South Korea, with President Lee Jae-myung warning it may undermine overseas funding in america.
Calling the state of affairs “bewildering,” Lee famous it’s customary observe for Korean corporations to ship employees overseas to assist set up factories.
Hyundai has since introduced that the plant’s opening will probably be delayed by not less than two months.
South Korea’s commerce unions have demanded an official apology from President Donald Trump.
On Sept. 4, round 475 folks — principally South Korean nationals — have been arrested on the website in what US officers described as the biggest immigration raid since Trump intensified his crackdown on overseas employees this 12 months.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement mentioned the Koreans had overstayed visas or lacked work permits.
One employee advised the BBC the raid triggered panic and confusion as federal brokers stormed the ability, with some staff led away in chains.
Trump, nevertheless, struck a contradictory tone, saying overseas consultants are “welcome” and that the US ought to be taught from their expertise in fields like shipbuilding and chipmaking.
“We welcome them, we welcome their staff, and we’re prepared to proudly say we’ll be taught from them, and do even higher than them at their very own ‘sport,’ someday within the not too distant future,” Trump wrote on Fact Social.