Hundreds of immigrants of South Korean origin have been apprehended from their workplace at a Hyundai-LG battery facility being built in Georgia.
The massive raid, carried out by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), took place on Thursday, September 4, 2025.
The facility is said to be a joint project of carmaker Hyundai and tech giant LG.
The apprehended foreign nationals were detained by US authorities, forcing Seoul to call on America to respect the rights of its citizens.
A spokesperson for the South Korean foreign ministry, Lee Jae-woong, said multiple Korean nationals were arrested and detained by America.
However, sources told AFP that about 300 South Koreans were being held by US authorities.
The government of South Africa has said that the economic activities of its investors and their rights must not be unjustly violated in the name of US law enforcement.
Seoul has commissioned a task force to probe the issue.
A post on social media by the Atlanta office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives confirmed that about 450 illegal immigrants were apprehended in the raid.
A US official, Steven Schrank, linked the raid to a probe of illegal employment practices.
He said those who were confirmed to be citizens of the US or had permanent residency were being released.
Hyundai and LG invest billions in America, mostly in the manufacturing sector. They are involved in a $5.8 billion steel plant in Louisiana, as well as new auto and robotics facilities, which are expected to create approximately 25,000 jobs over the next four years.
