South Korea’s Lee calls US raid ‘bewildering’, says saga could hit investment

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said on Thursday that a massive US immigration raid on a Hyundai-LG battery factory site could have a “significant impact” on future direct investment.

The raid, which saw hundreds of South Korean workers chained and handcuffed, was “bewildering” he said, adding it “could have a significant impact on future investment decisions, particularly when evaluating the feasibility of direct operations in the US”.

Last week’s raid at a Hyundai Motor project site in the state of Georgia led to the detention of about 300 South Korean workers, sending shock waves through South Korea and raising questions about the viability of doing business in the United States.

The 316 South Koreans who are now held at a detention centre will leave that facility at 3pm Korean time on Thursday and board a chartered plane to head back to South Korea, Lee said at a news conference marking his 100 days in office.

Korean businesses have complained about strict US limits on visas for skilled foreign workers, which they say make it difficult for them to oversee the construction of factories or to train local workers.

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Widespread anti-immigrant operations spark fear in Asian communities across the US

Widespread anti-immigrant operations spark fear in Asian communities across the US

Lee also said his administration will continue to make efforts to improve relations with North Korea and establish peace on the Korean peninsula, even though Pyongyang has so far remained cold to the peace outreach by Seoul.