Fri Sep 05 10:55:22 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
A major U.S. immigration raid occurred at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Georgia, where electric vehicles are manufactured. South Korea has expressed “concern and regret” over the detainment of an unspecified number of South Korean nationals during the raid. The raid targeted the construction site of a battery plant being built in partnership with LG Energy Solution. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated that the raid was part of an ongoing criminal investigation into unlawful employment practices and other federal crimes. South Korea is taking active measures to address the situation, including dispatching diplomats and planning an on-site response team. The raid is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to crack down on illegal immigration. Operations at Hyundai’s EV manufacturing plant were not interrupted.
**News Article:**
**South Korea Voices “Concern and Regret” Over U.S. Immigration Raid at Hyundai Georgia Plant**
**SEOUL – September 5, 2025** – South Korea has expressed strong “concern and regret” following a major U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Georgia. The raid, which occurred on Thursday, resulted in the detainment of an unspecified number of South Korean nationals working at the sprawling site, where Hyundai manufactures electric vehicles.
According to South Korean media reports, the raid led to the detainment of approximately 450 people, including around 30 South Korean citizens. While Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lee Jaewoong did not confirm the exact number, he acknowledged that the figure was “large.”
The targeted site, touted as the largest economic development project in Georgia’s history, is a $7.6 billion EV manufacturing plant that began operations a year ago. Hyundai has partnered with LG Energy Solution to build an adjacent battery plant, which was the focus of the ICE enforcement operation.
“The business activities of our investors and the rights of our nationals must not be unjustly infringed in the process of U.S. law enforcement,” stated spokesperson Lee Jaewoong. The South Korean government is taking active measures to address the situation, dispatching diplomats to the site and planning an on-site response team.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security released a statement confirming the execution of a search warrant as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into allegations of unlawful employment practices and other serious federal crimes. The statement did not specify whether anyone was detained or arrested.
The raid is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to crack down on illegal immigration, a policy that has seen increased ICE activity at various work sites across the U.S.
Hyundai and LG’s battery joint venture, HL-GA Battery Company, stated that they are “cooperating fully with the appropriate authorities and paused construction to assist their work.” Operations at Hyundai’s EV manufacturing plant were not interrupted, according to a plant spokesperson.
The situation remains tense, with South Korea closely monitoring the situation and seeking clarification from U.S. authorities regarding the detained individuals and the ongoing investigation.
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