The South Korean government has said it is investigating potential human rights violations following the raid and detention of South Korean workers by US authorities. The country has expressed “strong regret” to the US, officially requesting that the rights and interests of its citizens not be infringed upon during law enforcement proceedings. Over 300 South Korean workers have returned home after being held for a week following a raid at the construction of a Hyundai plant in Georgia. South Korean authorities will cooperate with the relevant companies to “thoroughly investigate any potential human rights violations or other issues,” a South Korean presidential spokesperson said. This incident comes as South Korean firms plan significant investments in the US under a trade agreement designed to avoid tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. The raid has heightened tensions between the two countries, with President Lee Jae-Myung warning that this could discourage future South Korean investment in the United States. President Lee Jae-Myung described the situation as bewildering and emphasized that it is standard practice for Korean companies to send workers to establish overseas factories. Following the raid, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said that the South Koreans had overstayed their visas or were not permitted to work in the US. Trump, however, has said that foreign workers sent to the country are “welcome,” adding that he doesn't want to “frighten off” investors.
