U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the recent incident involving the arrest and detention of over 300 Korean workers by U.S. immigration authorities at the Hyundai Motor Group-LG Energy Solution joint battery plant in Georgia will not worsen U.S.-Korea relations.
After watching the men's final of the U.S. Open tennis tournament on the 7th (local time), President Trump met with reporters at Andrews Joint Base near Washington, D.C., and responded to a question asking, "Do you think this situation will create tension in U.S.-Korea relations?" by saying, "No. We have a very good relationship with Korea." He added, "It's really a good relationship. We just signed a trade agreement."
President Trump noted that he would look into the situation following the crackdown, while also mentioning the issue of skilled labor shortages and visa issuance in the U.S. He said, "If there are no workers who know batteries in this country, we need to bring in experts from Korea and elsewhere to train them for a certain period," adding, "Whether it's battery manufacturing, computer manufacturing, or shipbuilding, we need to teach complex tasks." He emphasized, "We need to bring in experts to train Americans so they can do it directly."
Such remarks are interpreted as the U.S. government's willingness to resolve the issue of not issuing enough work and labor visas despite attracting significant investments from Korean corporations. Accordingly, attention is drawn to whether there will be changes regarding visa issuance complaints that Korean corporations have consistently raised.
President Trump said, "I fully understand what Korea is saying, and I will review it." He also posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, demanding foreign investing corporations comply with U.S. immigration laws while stating support for legal procedures for labor dispatch. He mentioned, "We welcome your investments," and asserted, "We encourage bringing in talented individuals legally to produce world-class products. We will create a fast and legal path to make that happen."
He also said, "What we ask in return is to hire and train American workers," adding, "Together, we will make Korea productive and work to get closer than ever before."
President Trump's recent response has changed from his initial reaction right after the incident. The day following the crackdown, on the 5th, he stated at the White House, "In my opinion, they were illegal immigrants, and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) did what they had to do," fully defending the authorities' actions.