US official offers regrets over detention of South Koreans

Landau, in Seoul for a Korea-US vice foreign ministerial meeting, said that the 316 South Koreans who returned home Friday on a chartered jet after being detained in Georgia will face no disadvantage when re-entering the US, according to South Korea’s foreign ministry.  

Earlier this month, US immigration authorities carried out a sweeping raid on a [hotlink]Hyundai Motor[/hotlink] Co.-LG Energy Solution Ltd. battery plant under construction in Georgia. Images of detained workers being lined up and restrained sparked public outcry in South Korea, as the workers had been dispatched to help get the plant up and running. 

Landau acknowledged the significant role Korean companies play in revitalizing US manufacturing. Both countries discussed accelerating working-level consultations to ensure work visas are issued appropriately in recognition of Korean workers’ contributions.

Despite having a free trade agreement with the US since 2012, South Korea has never received a dedicated visa quota, unlike several other FTA partners. The US has granted specific quotas to Australia, Singapore and Chile, while Canada and Mexico have no caps, according to law firms. This discrepancy is a significant source of frustration for Seoul, highlighting a major gap in the bilateral economic relationship.