increase in immigration enforcement at a U.S. battery manufacturing site; potential visit by South Korean Foreign Minister to the U.S. over the strict immigration measures.

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun of South Korea has announced plans to visit the United States to discuss the arrest of over 300 South Korean nationals by U.S. immigration authorities at a battery plant in Georgia.

The arrests, which took place during a raid at the electric vehicle battery plant construction site operated by HL-GA Battery Co., are said to be part of a criminal probe into alleged unlawful employment practices. The electric vehicle battery plant in question is a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Co. and LG Energy Solution Ltd.

The meeting, presided over by Minister Cho Hyun and attended by two vice ministers, officials from the ministry, and overseas missions, discussed the possibility of sending a senior foreign ministry official to the site without delay. If necessary, Minister Cho Hyun may personally travel to Washington to hold consultations with the U.S. administration regarding the arrests.

The majority of those arrested were reportedly dispatched to carry out final construction work, such as electrical installations, ahead of the plant's planned completion next year. Of those in custody, 47 have been confirmed as LG Energy Solution employees.

In a statement Saturday, LG Energy Solution has suspended all business trips to the U.S. and has instructed employees currently visiting the U.S. to stay in their accommodations or return home immediately. The company's chief human resources officer will depart for the U.S. the following day to address the issues on site, the firm said.

HL-GA Battery Co. is fully cooperating with the authorities and has paused construction to assist their work. President Lee Jae Myung has instructed officials to resolve the matter swiftly, emphasizing the importance of protecting the rights and interests of South Korean nationals and the business operations of South Korean companies in the United States.

Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Ji-na expressed regret and concern over the crackdown during a meeting with acting U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Joseph Yun. U.S. President Donald Trump referred to the arrested individuals as "illegal aliens" and stated that the immigration officials were "just doing their job."

The raid at the electric vehicle battery plant construction site operated by HL-GA Battery Co. is the largest single site enforcement operation in the history of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The individuals in custody at the detention centre in Folkston, Georgia, include those who came in through a visa waiver program that bans them from working, or had overstayed their visas.

Minister Cho Hyun will travel to Washington with officials from the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss the arrest of hundreds of South Koreans by U.S. immigration authorities. The specific names or titles of these accompanying officials have not been publicly disclosed. LG Energy Solution has noted it will make every effort to promptly resolve the situation, including ensuring the speedy and safe return of all employees.

increase in immigration enforcement at a U.S. battery manufacturing site; potential visit by South Korean Foreign Minister to the U.S. over the strict immigration measures.