The South Korean government has voiced strong concern following the arrest of over 300 of its nationals by United States immigration authorities during a large-scale enforcement operation at a Hyundai manufacturing facility in the state of Georgia. According to Yonhap News, the arrests formed part of an immigration and employment probe that resulted in the detention of 457 individuals, more than 300 of whom were South Korean citizens.

This sudden crackdown has triggered diplomatic unease between Washington and Seoul, particularly as it comes mere weeks after both countries celebrated what had been touted as a “historic” trade agreement, announced by US President Donald Trump in July.

South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun convened an emergency meeting in Seoul to address the seriousness of the matter and announced the activation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Overseas Citizens Protection Task Force.

Cho acknowledged a “heavy sense of responsibility” for the safety and rights of detained nationals and stressed that the legitimate economic activities of South Korean firms operating in the US should not be “unjustly infringed” during law enforcement actions.

He further confirmed that active consular assistance would be extended to affected citizens, underlining that Seoul expects fair treatment of those detained. Cho also suggested that Seoul could escalate the matter diplomatically, stating that a senior foreign ministry official may be dispatched to Georgia, and that he would personally travel to Washington to hold consultations with US authorities if necessary.

The matter has already prompted high-level diplomatic exchanges. First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo raised Seoul’s concerns directly with Allison Hooker, US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs.

Park conveyed strong regret over both the arrests and the release of video footage showing South Korean nationals being led away in handcuffs. In her response, Hooker assured that the US State Department was closely following developments and noted that Washington remained open to dialogue on the issue.

However, American authorities have defended the enforcement operation. Homeland Security officials explained that those detained included visa-overstayers and individuals working under conditions inconsistent with US entry visas or the visa waiver program. Currently, most detainees are being held at the Folkston detention facility in Georgia pending further legal procedures.

President Trump, when asked about the crackdown, was blunt in his defense of the arrests, describing the detainees as “illegal aliens” and asserting that immigration officers were “just doing their job.” His remarks reflected the administration’s longstanding emphasis on strict immigration enforcement, but they have risked souring the mood of bilateral cooperation that had been bolstered by the recently concluded trade pact.

That agreement had marked a significant economic milestone, with Seoul committing to a $350 billion investment package in US-based projects, $100 billion in energy purchases, and acceptance of a 15 percent American tariff on South Korean exports. Viewed by many as a tough deal favouring Washington, South Korea had nevertheless presented it as a “win-win” resolution under the cloud of escalating global trade tensions.

The arrests may now complicate the political optics of the trade partnership and place additional strain on US–South Korea relations at a delicate moment. For Seoul, the detention of hundreds of its nationals has swiftly become a matter of both public reassurance and diplomatic credibility. Cho emphasised that his ministry would continue to make “every best effort” to resolve the matter quickly, reiterating Seoul’s commitment to protecting the rights and interests of its citizens abroad.

With Hyundai’s operations and significant South Korean investments in the United States now under greater scrutiny, the issue risks spilling over from consular and immigration challenges into wider questions about trust and stability in the economic partnership.

As the situation evolves, the coming weeks are likely to see intensified diplomatic engagement, with the possibility of Cho’s visit to Washington serving as a crucial test in whether the allies can contain this dispute before it escalates into a broader rift.

Based On ANI Report