COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — The impact of last month's unprecedented immigration raid at a Hyundai Motor Group battery plant under construction near Savannah is still being felt from Georgia to South Korea.
The federal raid resulted in about 475 people being detained, more than 300 of them South Korean nationals.
The raid has raised concerns in Georgia, where a South Korean company recently committed to building a $223 million facility and employing more than 500 people in Columbus.
It also comes as Gov. Brian Kemp prepares for a visit to South Korea later this month.
Dr. Daewoo Lee, interim chair of the Policy, Justice, and Public Safety Department at Columbus State University, said the raid has caused confusion between the two countries.
"In one word, it's unfortunate," Lee said. "There's a little bit of confusion between both sides — U.S. as well as South Korea. And there are many positive, mutually beneficial activities going on between South Korea and Georgia. But because of some confusion, this happened. And it is just unfortunate. But I think things are getting cleared up and moving in the right direction."
South Korea's partnership with Georgia dates back to 2005, when Kia opened its manufacturing plant in West Point. That partnership expanded with Hyundai's new $7.6 billion facility near Savannah.
Production had already started at that plant when the raid occurred at a related battery facility under construction. At issue were the types of visas the workers used to enter the U.S.
Lee said Kemp's upcoming trip will likely include questions from South Korean leaders about the visa situation.
"They may ask for clarification, what's going to happen? Is it OK to go under these temporary visas? But I think some of those questions are already being answered by the State Department," Lee said.
Despite the fallout, South Korean investment in Georgia continues. Last month, JS Link, a South Korean magnet company, announced plans to build a new plant in East Columbus.
Choose Columbus President and CEO Missy Kendrick confirmed the project is still moving forward, with the plant expected to open in 2027.
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