Kemp traveling to South Korea after Hyundai immigration raid
The article reports that Georgia Governor Brian Kemp plans to travel to South Korea to meet with Hyundai executives following a recent immigration raid at one of Hyundai’s manufacturing plants near Atlanta. The raid, which detained over 300 Korean nationals who were later returned to South Korea, has caused tension between the U.S. adn South Korea, especially concerning South Korean companies’ investments in the U.S. Kemp’s trip, which was scheduled prior to the raid, aims to strengthen economic, educational, and cultural ties between Georgia and South Korea. Hyundai is continuing its planned $2.7 billion expansion of its Georgia plant despite concerns, with goals to produce 500,000 vehicles by 2028 and create 3,000 jobs. The incident has also brought renewed focus on improving the U.S. visa system for skilled workers from South korea, with discussions underway to extend visa durations to better support such investments. Kemp views the situation as an opportunity to address visa processing issues and maintain strong business relations with South Korean firms.
Kemp traveling to South Korea after Hyundai immigration raid
Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) is preparing to travel to South Korea for a meeting with Hyundai executives, weeks after immigration authorities raided one of the automaker’s manufacturing plants in the Atlanta area.
Over 300 Korean nationals were detained in the Sept. 4 raid and eventually returned home, but the fallout from the operation has strained the relationship between the United States and South Korea. Seoul’s leaders are particularly concerned about the nation’s companies investing in the U.S.
Kemp’s economic development trip to South Korea is expected to alleviate these concerns.
The governor is planning to meet with Hyundai executives this fall, according to emails that the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on Sunday. Kemp will be joined by Savannah Economic Development Authority President and CEO Trip Tollison. While the meeting dates were redacted for security purposes, the trip will likely take place sometime around Oct. 28-29, when Kemp is scheduled to be in Japan.
A Kemp spokesperson described the economic development mission as an “opportunity to strengthen Georgia’s economic, educational, and cultural ties with partners in one of the world’s largest economies.”
It was scheduled before the Hyundai raid earlier this month, the spokesperson noted.
The overseas trip would mark Kemp’s third visit to South Korea since becoming governor in 2019.
Chief among the Korean companies investing in the U.S. is Hyundai, which increased its planned investment from $21 billion to $26 billion through 2028 to boost vehicle production capacity. That announcement was made on the same day as South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s August visit to the White House, about a week before the large-scale immigration raid.
While Lee expressed worry that the raid could have a chilling effect on companies’ U.S. investments, Hyundai is proceeding with its $2.7 billion expansion of the plant in Bryan County, Georgia, where immigration officers detained 475 people. South Korea sent a plane to bring home the 300 Korean nationals.
The foreign automaker said the facility is expected to produce 500,000 units by 2028, with a focus on electric and hybrid models, and create 3,000 jobs in Georgia.
Meanwhile, the immigration dispute brought renewed attention to the U.S. visa system among leaders in Washington, D.C., and Seoul. Lee has said his government and the Trump administration are discussing how to prolong the time period for Korean citizens to work in the U.S. South Korean companies have provided skilled workers with temporary visa waivers or short-term business visas to work in their factories.
HYUNDAI MOVING FORWARD WITH $2.7 BILLION PLAN TO EXPAND GEORGIA PLANT HIT BY ICE RAID
Kemp said the raid may be a catalyst for change in making the visa process more efficient.
“I’ve had good conversations with companies that are here doing business in Georgia — companies that are looking to do business here,” Kemp told reporters last week. “And I’ve had good conversations with people in the White House about the visa issue.”
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