About 300 people, including 47 employees of LG Energy Solution (46 of Korean nationality and 1 from Indonesia), were reported to have been detained during an illegal immigrant crackdown at the Hyundai Motor Group-LG Energy Solution joint battery plant (HL-GA battery company) construction site in Georgia, USA.

On the 6th, LG Energy Solution said in a press release, "We will do our utmost to resolve issues quickly, including ensuring the prompt and safe return of our members and employees of partner companies." It has been reported that about 250 employees affiliated with equipment partner companies related to the HL-GA battery company were also detained. Most of them are known to be Korean nationals who were deployed for last-minute work ahead of the completion scheduled for next year.

On the 4th (local time), the U.S. immigration authorities raid the construction site of the electric vehicle battery factory located in Bryan County, Georgia, which is being jointly built by Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution. /Courtesy of News1

LG Energy Solution noted, "We are in the process of identifying regular medication for the detainees through their emergency contact network and plan to request that necessary medications be delivered to them." It added, "In close consultation with the Korean government and relevant authorities, we are pursuing meetings with the detainees while also planning to request that communication and contact be made possible."

In relation to the crackdown, Kim Ki-soo, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHO) of LG Energy Solution, plans to depart for the U.S. on the morning of the 7th to respond on-site. The company has ordered a complete suspension of business trips to the U.S., excluding customer meetings, and has instructed current travelers to either return immediately or wait at their accommodations, considering the work situation. Additionally, LG Energy Solution stated, "We are making every effort for the release of the detainees."

Earlier, Hyundai Motor's U.S. subsidiary announced on the 5th (local time), "Hyundai applies a zero-tolerance principle to those who do not comply with the law," and added, "We will thoroughly comply with U.S. laws in the process of investing in U.S. manufacturing and creating thousands of jobs." It is known that none of the detained individuals were directly employed by Hyundai.

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