BRYAN COUNTY, Ga. — South Korean Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha visited the Hyundai Metaplant in Bryan County on Tuesday to reassure local business leaders of Korea’s commitment following a controversial ICE raid.
The ambassador’s visit comes three months after federal immigration agents detained 475 workers at the plant, including 300 Korean technical workers, due to visa issues.
Despite the raid, Korea maintains an $18 billion investment in Georgia.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Channel 2’s Richard Elliot joined the ambassador on her tour of the facility.
“Everything at you, it’s just so impressive,” said Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha during her tour of the Hyundai Metaplant. “Just the technological level certainly is nothing like I’ve ever seen in any plant.”
Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce President Bert Brantley commented on the visit, saying, “You always have to check back in. You’ve always got to make sure that the partnership is still strong, and it is. And really, I think, getting stronger.”
The workers detained during the raid were not in the country illegally but had incorrect visa types due to ambiguities in U.S. visa regulations.
The incident led to a diplomatic situation, and ICE released all 300 Korean workers shortly after.
RELATED STORIES:
- South Korean ambassador says Georgia ICE raid won’t negatively affect relationship with U.S.
- Man detained in massive raid at Georgia Hyundai plant describes conditions they were kept in
- Gov. Kemp going to South Korea to smooth things over after ICE raid on Georgia Hyundai plant
- All 300+ Korean nationals detained during ICE raid at South GA Hyundai plant have now been released
- ‘It’s just not right’: Friends and family of Hyundai workers detained in ICE raid react
Governor Brian Kemp traveled to Korea in October to help smooth over relations between the two countries.
Ambassador Kang’s visit to Georgia serves a similar purpose, reaffirming Korea’s substantial investment in the state.
Ambassador Kang stated that her government is collaborating with the Trump administration to prevent future misunderstandings related to visa issues.
She emphasized the need for a new type of visa tailored specifically for Korean technical workers at the Hyundai Metaplant and urged Congress to address the matter soon.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2025 Cox Media Group
