President Lee Jae Myung urged stronger action on visa policy reform during meetings in New York this week. Moreover, he stressed that the recent immigration raid on South Korean professionals in Georgia must not happen again. In addition, Lee met with four US lawmakers, including Reps. Young Kim and Gregory Meeks and Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Chris Coons. These discussions specifically focused on the Partner with Korea Act and the need for visa policy reform.
The proposed bill would create 15,000 E-4 visas for South Koreans with specialized education or expertise. Currently, South Korea has no dedicated E-4 visa quota. Therefore, Lee argued that visa policy reform would protect workers and strengthen bilateral ties.
Meanwhile, tensions rose after US immigration authorities detained 316 South Korean workers at a battery plant site in Georgia. The workers remained in custody for a week before returning home on September 12. Consequently, the crackdown shocked policymakers in Seoul and raised concerns about fairness in treatment.
Furthermore, the presidential office stated that US lawmakers sympathized with the concerns and showed openness to finding solutions. Officials believe that cooperative efforts could eventually push the Partner with Korea Act forward in Congress. Both governments recognize the importance of skilled labor exchanges for trade and industry growth.
At the same time, South Korea has expanded its high-tech manufacturing investments in the US, especially in electric vehicle and battery production. However, the immigration raid cast doubt on the security of workers sent for such projects. Analysts warn that without visa policy reform, future projects could face labor disruptions.
In addition, Lee also addressed ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries. He said both sides must find a commercially reasonable solution to prevent market instability. Still, South Korean officials remain cautious, noting that outcomes could impact the foreign currency exchange market.
Moreover, industry leaders argue that predictable visa access is critical to sustain bilateral trade and technology cooperation. Labor mobility also strengthens supply chains and ensures timely project delivery in advanced manufacturing sectors.
Looking ahead, both governments plan to continue dialogue on immigration and trade policies. Ultimately, leaders believe progress on visa policy reform could safeguard future cooperation and support economic stability. Therefore, the issue has become central to maintaining trust between partners and protecting shared investments in strategic industries.
