South Korean companies will be 'very hesitant' about investing in the US following a massive immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in the state of Georgia last week, President Lee Jae Myung has said.
More than 300 South Koreans who were arrested in the raid have now been released from detention and are due to return home on Friday after having their release delayed by more than a day. Their departure was delayed due to an instruction from the White House, Lee added.
President Donald Trump ordered the pause to check whether the workers were willing to remain in the US to continue working and training Americans, according to a South Korean foreign ministry official.
Lee, addressing a news conference to mark the first 100 days of his presidency, described the situation as 'extremely bewildering'. He noted that it's common practice for Korean firms to send workers to help set up overseas factories. 'If that's no longer allowed, establishing manufacturing facilities in the US will only become more difficult,' he added.
The US has defended its operation at the Hyundai plant, dismissing worries that it could deter foreign investments. Trump has indicated that foreign firms will be facilitated in bringing workers into the US as long as they respect immigration laws.
South Korea, a close US ally in Asia, has pledged to invest tens of billions of dollars in America, partly to offset tariffs. However, media in South Korea have warned that the raid could have a 'chilling effect' on business activities in the US.
