S.Korea's Lee says US raid may make companies 'hesistant' about investing

11/9/2025 12:36

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Thursday a U.S. immigration raid resulting in the detention of hundreds of workers at a Hyundai Motor business project could have an impact on U.S. investment decisions made by Korean companies.



The raid was a confounding event and caused a great deal of confusion, Lee told a news conference, adding it was likely to leave South Korean businesses "hesitant" about investing in the United States.



Last week's raid at a Hyundai Motor project site in the state of Georgia led to the detention of about 300 South Korean workers, sending shockwaves through South Korea and raising questions about the viability of doing business in the United States.



There had been no review yet by the government on whether there should be a new approach to business cooperation between the two countries, Lee said.



South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun has flown to Washington to resolve what has become a diplomatic quagmire after 475 people working at the site in Georgia were detained by U.S. immigration authorities last week.