In connection with the mass detention of about 300 Korean workers at the Hyundai Motor Group–LG Energy Solution battery plant in Georgia, the governments of Korea and the United States held the first meeting of a working group to seek measures to prevent a recurrence.
On the 30th (local time), the U.S. State Department said in a press release, "Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau emphasized in his opening remarks that Korea is one of the United States' major investing countries," and "he reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to welcome and encourage investment from Korea, and underscored the essential role of a skilled workforce in ensuring the success of such investment."
It added that "representatives from various U.S. government departments participated in the meeting, demonstrating broad commitment to this plan."
At the meeting held in Washington, D.C., on the Korean side, Jeong Gi-hong, the government representative in charge of protection of overseas Koreans and consular affairs, participated as chief delegate, while on the U.S. side, Kevin Kim, a senior official for East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the State Department, served as chief delegate.
The State Department emphasized, "The United States strongly supports investments that lead the rebuilding of U.S. industry, strengthen the South Korea–U.S. alliance, and promote shared prosperity," and "the U.S. government, including by processing appropriate visas so that qualified Korean visitors can continue to invest in the United States in accordance with the law, is working closely with its ally Korea to advance our trade and investment partnership."
The two countries have been holding working-level consultations through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Embassy in Seoul to form the working group. A working group is a temporary organization in which various experts gather to collaborate to achieve specific goals and tasks.