President Lee Orders "All-Out Efforts for Swift Resolution" in U.S. Korean Detention Incident (Comprehensive)

"No Unfair Infringement on Citizens' Rights or Economic Activities of Korean-Invested Companies"

President Lee Jaemyung has ordered, in response to the detention of Korean nationals by U.S. immigration authorities, "Mobilize all available resources, centering on the Embassy in the United States and the Consulate General in Atlanta, to ensure a swift resolution of the matter."

Cho Hyun, Minister of Foreign Affairs, is speaking at the Joint Countermeasure Meeting of the Overseas Korean Protection Headquarters and Diplomatic Missions held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the 6th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

According to Cho Hyun, Minister of Foreign Affairs, President Lee gave this directive while emphasizing, "The rights and interests of our citizens and the economic activities of Korean-invested companies must not be unfairly infringed upon during the law enforcement process in the United States." Cho conveyed this message at the Joint Countermeasure Meeting between the Overseas Korean Protection Headquarters and diplomatic missions, held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the 6th.

It has been reported that President Lee has been closely monitoring the situation, having received briefings from Minister Cho immediately after the incident became known.

Minister Cho stated that U.S. immigration authorities detained 475 people during a raid at the Hyundai Motor Group-LG Energy Solution factory in Georgia, and that over 300 of those detained are Korean nationals. He added, "We are deeply concerned and feel a heavy sense of responsibility for the arrest of our citizens."

Minister Cho explained that, given the gravity of the situation, he established the Overseas Korean Protection Headquarters with himself as the head. He also stated that the headquarters and overseas missions convened the meeting to swiftly share updates and review countermeasures.

In response, Kim Jina, the Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, conveyed concerns and regrets to Joseph Yun, Acting U.S. Ambassador to Korea, the previous day, and requested special attention to ensure that the legitimate rights and interests of Korean nationals are not violated.

Minister Cho said, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs intends to respond comprehensively by maintaining close communication with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, economic organizations, and companies." He urged the Embassy in the United States and the Consulate General in Atlanta to continue engaging with local authorities to ensure prompt consular assistance. He added, "We are considering dispatching high-level officials to the site from the headquarters as quickly as possible, and if necessary, I am also prepared to go to Washington myself to consult with the U.S. administration."

He continued, "Through this meeting, we aim to share and review all the detailed information gathered so far, as well as to assess how consular assistance should be provided and what countermeasures need to be established and how."

The meeting was urgently convened to respond to the incident in which U.S. authorities conducted an immigration raid at the construction site of a Korean company's local factory, detaining 475 people including Korean nationals. Key officials such as First Vice Minister Park Yunju, Second Vice Minister Kim Jina, and the Minister-Counselor of the Embassy in the United States attended the meeting.

On September 4 (local time), U.S. immigration authorities conducted a large-scale raid targeting undocumented immigrants at the construction site of the Hyundai Motor Group-LG Energy Solution joint battery factory (HL-GA Battery Company) in Savannah, Georgia, detaining and arresting 475 people, including more than 300 Korean nationals.