Jose Muñoz, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor, said recently in connection with the mass detention at the joint battery plant with LG Energy Solution in Georgia, United States, that "Korea's expertise, innovation, technology, and know-how are an asset to Hyundai Motor's operations around the world."
According to industry sources on the 16th, President Muñoz conveyed this in a letter to executives and employees on the 15th, saying, "Cooperation between overseas business sites, including the United States, and Korea is essential for global success." He added, "Hyundai Motor has been operating in Georgia for more than 15 years, and its firm commitment to U.S. manufacturing remains unchanged."
Muñoz's remarks are interpreted as emphasizing that dispatching Korea's skilled technical personnel is unavoidable. Earlier, on the 11th (local time), he said in an interview with U.S. media that specialized personnel are needed during the plant construction phase and that they are difficult to find in the United States.
Muñoz also offered condolences to those who were detained and returned home. He said, "I extend my deepest sympathies to the detained partner-company workers and their families," and added, "It is very fortunate that they were able to return to Korea safely, and I hope they can resume a peaceful daily life." He continued, "We take this matter very seriously, and all relevant departments are doing their utmost to ensure that you can work safely anytime, anywhere."
Previously, of the 317 Korean workers detained by U.S. immigration authorities, 316 (excluding one who chose to remain) returned home on a chartered flight on the 12th, eight days after they were arrested.