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3w ago

U.S. No. 2 Diplomat Voices Deep Regret Over Georgia Raid, Pledges Visa Fixes

Seoul says the visit sets up rapid working-level talks to close visa gaps exposed by the detention of Korean battery-plant workers.

The logo of Hyundai Motor is seen at its dealership in Seoul, South Korea, April 26, 2017. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji
U.S. Deputy State Secretary Christopher Landau (L) and South Korean First Vice Minister Park Yoon-joo pose for photos before their talks at the foreign ministry in Seoul on Sept. 14, 2025, in this photo provided by the ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
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Overview

  • Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo in Seoul and voiced deep regret over the mass detention, calling the case a turning point for systemic improvements.
  • Landau assured that the 316 Koreans who returned after about a week in custody will face no disadvantage when reentering the United States and said President Donald Trump is closely following the matter.
  • Both sides agreed to move quickly on working-level consultations to ensure appropriate visas for Korean personnel supporting U.S. manufacturing, with proposals that include a tailored visa channel and a bilateral working group.
  • Park urged concrete, preventative measures after describing poor conditions faced by the workers in U.S. detention and the strong public reaction in South Korea.
  • The Sept. 4 raid at Hyundai–LG’s HL-GA Battery construction site in Bryan County detained hundreds, underscoring a mismatch between B-1 or ESTA entries and on-site labor roles.