U.S. Immigration Crackdown on Korean Firms... People Power Party: "Betrayed After Giving 700 Trillion Won Gift"

After U.S. authorities cracked down on undocumented workers at the Hyundai Motor Group-LG Energy Solution joint battery plant in Georgia and arrested several Koreans, the People Power Party criticized the incident, saying, "We were betrayed just 11 days after delivering a 700 trillion won gift package."

Park Seonghun, the chief spokesperson of the People Power Party, is entering the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

In a statement, Park Sunghoon, chief spokesperson of the People Power Party, said, "The Lee Jaemyung administration promised a total investment of 500 billion dollars (approximately 700 trillion won) in the United States during the Korea-U.S. summit on August 25, but the result has been the crackdown at the Hyundai Motor Group-LG Energy Solution joint plant."

Park pointed out, "President Donald Trump signed an executive order lowering tariffs on Japanese automobiles and parts to 15%, but Korean automobiles are still subject to a 25% tariff," adding, "Korean companies face a more disadvantageous competitive environment in the U.S. market compared to their Japanese counterparts."

He continued, "Despite pledging an investment worth 700 trillion won, the Lee Jaemyung administration has failed to ensure the safety of our people and to secure corporate competitiveness. This is the reality of its so-called pragmatic diplomacy." He emphasized, "The People Power Party strongly demands measures to protect our citizens and businesses, and we will hold the Lee Jaemyung administration fully accountable for its diplomatic failures."