South Korea is working to secure the swift release of more than 300 nationals detained in the United States. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is traveling to Washington to address the situation directly. He plans to meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other officials to negotiate the return of the workers.
The detained Koreans were taken during an immigration enforcement operation at a battery plant in Georgia run by a joint venture of Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution. Cho said consultations are ongoing between Korean companies and local U.S. authorities. He emphasized the importance of addressing both short-term release measures and longer-term visa solutions.
South Korea aims to use the incident as a turning point for Korean visa reform. Cho highlighted that most detained workers hold short-term business visas, including B-1 and ESTA permits. These visas do not align with the scale of South Korea’s U.S. investment. He said the mismatch creates a fundamental barrier for South Korean companies expanding in the United States.
In addition to the immediate release, Cho will raise the broader issue of the limited number of H-1B visas available to Korean workers. He pointed to stalled congressional efforts, including the Partner with Korea Act, which would create an E-4 visa quota for up to 15,000 skilled Korean professionals. Cho said his discussions will explore expanding existing quotas or creating new visa categories to match investment needs and support Korean visa reform.
South Korea emphasizes that protecting its nationals abroad and resolving visa issues are linked. Cho told lawmakers that ensuring smooth entry for Korean workers is critical to maintaining confidence in U.S.-bound investment. He also committed to negotiating with U.S. officials on practical measures, such as chartered flights and conditions of release.
The government has underscored that South Korea’s investment in the U.S. is substantial. In 2023, South Korea became the largest foreign investor in the United States, with $21.5 billion in investments. Under a new trade framework, Seoul pledged an additional $350 billion. Cho stressed that the visa problem threatens both these investments and industrial collaboration.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed support for resolving the visa issue, highlighting the need for foreign experts to train Americans in complex industries. Cho said this backing could help advance negotiations and secure both the immediate release and long-term Korean visa reform.
