LG Energy Solution and SK On Readjust Workforce in U.S. to Minimize Delays in Plant Completion

LG Energy Solution Considers Personnel Transfers to New Georgia Plant
SK On Expands Early Repatriation Recommendations Amid Crackdown Concerns
Industry: "Temporary Measures Have Limits... Government Action Needed for System Stability"

Recently, following the incident in which U.S. immigration authorities arrested and detained Korean employees at the Hyundai Motor-LG Energy Solution joint venture plant in Georgia, it has been reported that Korean companies operating in the United States are now moving to restructure their local workforce. Despite strong reactions suggesting that further investment in the U.S. is no longer feasible, there is a prevailing sentiment at construction sites currently underway that delays are unacceptable in order to meet client deadlines. Emergency operations led by expatriate staff and workforce relocation measures at the overseas business division level are being pursued simultaneously.

According to industry sources on September 9, LG Energy Solution is prioritizing the successful completion of its new plant and is preparing response measures accordingly. To fulfill contracts with major clients, the company is internally considering temporarily dispatching personnel currently working at existing plants in Michigan, Ohio, and Arizona to the Georgia plant. It is also reported that the overseas business division is developing scenarios for all of its U.S. sites. An LG Energy Solution representative stated, "Our top priority at the moment is the swift return of the detained employees, and the issue of transferring personnel from other U.S. sites to the new Georgia plant will be discussed subsequently."

However, due to the nature of the new plant, skilled personnel are required for equipment setup and initial operations, and there are reportedly considerable internal concerns about the actual effectiveness of such measures. An industry insider commented, "Because it's a new plant, experienced staff are essential for equipment setup. Most other U.S. plants have already moved past the setup phase and are staffed mainly with operational personnel, so there are significant internal concerns about whether relocating staff between sites will be effective."

At SK On's U.S. plants, concerns over crackdowns have intensified, prompting moves to both reassign personnel and arrange for early repatriation. SK On has deployed headquarters employees and partner company staff to the U.S. for construction and equipment installation phases. Although many of them are working under legitimate B1 (business trip) or E2 (investor) visas, there are concerns that during crackdowns, equipment installers, business travelers, and construction workers may not be distinguished and could all be subject to investigation.

The company has not yet issued an official directive for full repatriation. However, at the team and site levels, employees have reportedly been advised to "return to Korea as soon as possible after completing their work." An SK On representative explained, "Since the plant is scheduled to begin operations early next year, it is not essential for some staff to remain immediately. There is a prevailing atmosphere of minimizing unnecessary stays in consideration of local staff safety."

The industry views this situation not simply as a detention incident, but as a structural risk threatening the continuity of production in the U.S., and is calling for an active government response. An industry official stated, "Relocation is only a temporary measure. In the long term, the government must step in to ensure the stability of the visa system and improve conditions for staying in the U.S."