The Daily Populous Monday September 15th, 2025 evening edition
Authored by bbc.com and submitted by MicV66

South Korea to probe potential human rights abuses in US raid

14 hours ago Share Save Osmond Chia Business reporter, Singapore Share Save

Reuters More than 300 South Koreans who were detained in a massive immigration raid in Georgia arrived home last Friday

The South Korean government says it is investigating potential human rights violations during the raid and detention of Korean workers by US authorities. South Korea has expressed "strong regret" to the US and has officially asked that its citizens' rights and interests are not infringed during law enforcement proceedings, said a presidential spokesperson on Monday. More than 300 South Korean workers returned home on Friday after being held for a week following a raid at an electric vehicle battery plant in the US state of Georgia. The incident has tested ties between the countries, even as South Korean firms are set to invest billions in America under a trade deal to avoid steep US tariffs.

South Korean authorities will work with the relevant companies to "thoroughly investigate any potential human rights violations or other issues", said the presidential spokesperson during a press briefing. The BBC has contacted the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for comment. The raid has raised tensions between the US and South Korea, where many of those detained were from, with President Lee Jae-myung warning that it will discourage foreign investment into the US. He called the situation "bewildering", adding that it is a common practice for Korean companies to send workers to help set up overseas factories. Last week, Hyundai said the plant's opening will be delayed by at least two months. South Korea's trade unions have called on Trump to issue an official apology.

How the massive immigration raid on a Georgia car plant unfolded

VelvetElvis on September 15th, 2025 at 07:39 UTC »

Probable human rights abuses. The cruelty is the point. I don't think a lot of Americans fully understand that these were the people who designed and manufactured the equipment in a highly technical facility. Some were flown there at company expense in private aircraft.

This is like if IBM or Apple sent a team of their top engineers to visit a factory and they were then arrested, chained, and treated like livestock for a week before they could leave.

I don't really understand how honor works in Asian societies but this kind of humiliation is not something people are going to forget about. Ever.

madeleinetwocock on September 15th, 2025 at 06:05 UTC »

> South Korea has officially asked that its citizens' rights and interests are not infringed during law enforcement proceedings

Genuinely, wish them the best of luck with that.

This is literally the bare minimum anyone should ask for, but shouldn’t have to ask for to begin with.

spacecase_88 on September 15th, 2025 at 05:44 UTC »

we try to do this to ourselves (Americans), and don't succeed, so I hope this works out for them.