Georgia Gov. Kemp visits South Korea to bolster ties after Georgia EV plant raid

On the Dash:

• Governor Brian Kemp visited South Korea to strengthen economic and business ties with the government and Hyundai-LG Energy Solution.
• The trip follows an immigration raid at Georgia’s EV battery plant that detained 475 workers, highlighting challenges with U.S. visas for specialized labor.
• Kemp is advocating for a 90-day manufacturing visa to streamline entry for skilled foreign workers and support Georgia’s growing Korean-linked economy.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp traveled to South Korea on Sept. 24 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Georgia’s representation in Seoul and to strengthen economic and business ties with representatives from Hyundai and LG Energy Solution. The visit comes nearly a month after an immigration raid at Hyundai-LG Energy’s Georgia-based EV battery plant, where ICE detained roughly 475 workers, more than 300 of whom were South Korean nationals.

The employees were arrested for allegedly working without the proper visas and were eventually repatriated to South Korea following a week of negotiations between the two governments. Hyundai has previously noted that none of the detainees were direct employees and that most were hired through subcontractors.

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The raid underscored challenges in obtaining the appropriate U.S. visas for specialized workers needed at major investment sites such as the Hyundai-LG Energy EV battery plant. In response, Gov. Kemp has proposed that President Donald Trump establish a 90-day manufacturing visa to reduce confusion and ensure the smooth entry of skilled personnel into the United States.

Georgia and South Korea share long-standing economic and cultural ties. Georgia established a permanent trading office in Seoul in 1985, and in 2024, South Korea was the state’s third-largest trading partner, with more than $17.5 billion in merchandise value. Atlanta is also among the top ten U.S. cities with the largest Korean populations.  

“Georgia has enjoyed a strong and friendly relationship with the Republic of Korea for 40 years,” said Governor Kemp. “This visit reflects our commitment to deepening those ties even further, through the creation of opportunities that benefit both our people and our economies.”