South Korea concludes talks with US to release Korean workers arrested in immigration raid: Official

SEOUL: South Korea has just wrapped up talks with the United States for the release of detained Korean workers in Georgia, a presidential official said on Sunday (Sep 7).

A plane will be on its way to bring back the Koreans once administrative procedures are completed, Kang Hun-sik, Presidential Chief of Staff, said in televised remarks.

US federal agents carried out a raid at a Hyundai Motor manufacturing facility in Georgia this week in the largest single-site enforcement operation in the history of the Department of Homeland Security’s investigative operations as part of President Donald Trump’s escalating crackdown on immigrants.

Over 300 South Koreans were among 475 people arrested by US immigration officials at the Hyundai Motor car battery factory.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung had ordered all-out efforts on Saturday to swiftly respond to the arrests. 

South Korea has recently reached a major trade deal with the US, which includes a US$350 billion fund to help Korean companies enter the US market.

US President Donald Trump may visit South Korea in October for the gathering of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation event, CNN reported on Saturday, citing three Trump administration officials.

The South Korean official on Sunday said the government will seek ways to improve the visa system of Korean workers traveling to the US to “prevent a similar incident”.

A video released by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement showed Asian workers shackled at the wrists, waist, and ankles getting on a bus after the raid, which involved a helicopter and armoured vehicles.

In the video, hundreds of workers were standing up in front of a building, with some wearing yellow vests with names such as “Hyundai” and “LG CNS”. 

Two of the workers hid in a pond before being arrested.