Korea and the United States will set up a dedicated desk, a communication channel on visa issues for Korean corporations investing in the United States, at the U.S. Embassy in Korea. Activities permissible under the B-1 short-term business visa have also been clarified.
On the 30th (local time), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release that the two governments agreed to these measures following the first meeting of the working group on business visits and visas.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the dedicated desk is scheduled to begin operating in October, and the U.S. side will announce details via the U.S. Embassy in Korea website and other channels.
In addition, at the meeting, the two countries clarified the activities permissible under the B-1 short-term business visa in line with the activity needs of Korean corporations. The installation, inspection, and maintenance of overseas-purchased equipment accompanying investment in the United States are permitted for B-1 visa holders, and it was reaffirmed that those with Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) under the Visa Waiver Program can engage in the same activities as B-1 visa holders.
Earlier, on the 4th, most of the Koreans arrested at the Hyundai Motor Group–LG Energy Solution joint battery plant in Georgia were detained despite holding B-1/2 visas (a combined business-purpose short-term business and tourist visa) or ESTA, and this is seen as the U.S. side making clear its intent to prevent a similar situation from recurring.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "In line with Korea's proposal to establish a cooperation framework between Korean missions in the United States and U.S. immigration law enforcement agencies, the two sides agreed to establish mutual lines of contact between Korean missions and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) branches and to work closely together."
Korea also called for fundamental institutional reforms beyond the improvements announced this time, to which the U.S. side reportedly responded, "Given the practical legislative constraints, it is not an easy task," while adding, "We will continue to review feasible options."
The meeting was held with Ambassador and Government Representative for Korean Nationals Overseas Protection and Consular Affairs Jung Ki-hong, and Senior Bureau Official for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kevin Kim, serving as chief delegates for each side. It was also reported that officials from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups joined on the Korean side, while officials from the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Labor attended on the U.S. side.