Yeo Han-koo, head of trade negotiations at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI), urged the governor of Georgia, where a mass detention of Korean workers occurred, to ensure that a similar incident does not happen again. The Georgia governor said the state government would provide firm support.
According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) on the 23rd, the Deputy Minister met with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, who is visiting Korea, to discuss ways to strengthen Korea-U.S. industrial and investment cooperation and visa issues.
Georgia is a hub of Korea-U.S. industrial and investment cooperation. In a range of sectors including batteries, automobiles, semiconductors, and solar, our corporations have made large-scale investments.
However, in September, due to a large-scale crackdown on undocumented immigrants by the U.S. government, a mass detention of Korean workers occurred at the LG Energy Solution battery plant in Ellabell, Georgia.
Regarding this incident, the Deputy Minister emphasized, "If cases like the previous detention recur, it could significantly dampen our corporations' willingness to invest," and noted, "It also runs counter to U.S. policy that seeks a manufacturing revival through attracting foreign direct investment."
In response, Governor Kemp said the state government would "firmly support" efforts so that Korean corporations investing in Georgia can continue and expand their business activities and investments stably, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) said.