The White House has personally apologized to Hyundai’s chief executive for a major immigration raid at a Georgia battery plant, an event that has strained US-South Korea relations. Hyundai CEO José Muñoz announced the apology during a panel discussion at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore, calling the raid ‘a bad surprise’ but reaffirming the company’s commitment to US manufacturing.
The raid occurred in September at a joint battery facility operated by Hyundai and LG in Georgia, where US immigration authorities detained more than 300 South Korean workers. Witnesses described scenes of workers being forced to sit on the floor with their legs shackled, which sparked outrage in South Korea and led to high-level government interventions. The detained workers were held in custody for over a week before being flown back to South Korea following urgent diplomatic talks. The operation caused significant labor shortages, prompting Hyundai to warn that the plant’s opening would be delayed.
Muñoz emphasized that the company believed the workers were legally authorized, contradicting any claims of illegal immigration. In the aftermath, he received calls from both the White House and the governor of Georgia, with the governor reportedly stating, ‘I don’t know what happened, this is not state jurisdiction,’ indicating confusion over the raid’s authorization. The White House, through spokeswoman Abigail Jackson, did not directly address the apology but stated that the US values foreign investments and requires proper work authorizations for all workers.
Muñoz speculated that the raid might have been triggered by a misleading phone call that falsely alleged illegal immigrants at the plant. Despite the incident, he assured that Hyundai would continue its investments in the US, highlighting the importance of the partnership. The raid has raised questions about the coordination between federal and state authorities in immigration enforcement.
The event took place against the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, though Trump had previously expressed opposition to this specific raid. Trump said at the time that the US had an ‘understanding’ with the world on the need to bring in experts to set up specialized facilities and train local workers. This incident highlights the tensions between immigration policies and international business investments.
In October, the US and South Korea announced a broad trade deal, which may help ease the tensions exacerbated by the raid. The agreement reduces reciprocal tariffs from 25% to 15%, while South Korea committed to investing $350 billion in the US. This development suggests a willingness to strengthen economic ties despite the diplomatic friction.
Looking ahead, the apology and subsequent trade negotiations indicate a path toward reconciliation. Hyundai’s continued investment in the US underscores the mutual benefits of the partnership, while the raid serves as a cautionary tale about the impacts of immigration enforcement on international relations.
