South Korea said it is considering immediate diplomatic steps after a U.S. law enforcement raid at a Hyundai plant in the state of Georgia resulted in the detention of 475 people, about 300 of whom were South Korean nationals.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun told an emergency meeting Saturday that Seoul is "deeply concerned and feel[s] a heavy sense of responsibility over the arrests of our nationals," and that the government would act on behalf of President Lee Jae Myung. Cho said officials would discuss sending a senior foreign ministry official to the site without delay and that, if necessary, he would personally travel to Washington to consult with the U.S. administration, according to Yonhap News Agency.
Cho confirmed at the meeting that approximately 300 of the 475 people detained were South Korean nationals. Photographs circulating in the wake of the operation show some of those arrested wearing restraints, images that have heightened concern in Seoul and prompted the emergency review.
First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo raised the matter with other senior officials during the meeting, and the presidential office has urged protection of both the rights of those arrested and the legal interests of their employer. President Lee, who met at the White House with U.S. President Donald Trump two weeks ago, has directed that Seoul ensure neither the rights of detainees nor the legal protections of the company are infringed, officials said.
South Korean officials provided few operational details about the raid, and Cho did not name the U.S. agencies involved. The foreign ministry said it is seeking fuller information from United States counterparts and will consider all available consular and diplomatic measures to assist nationals who were detained.
The South Korean response reflects the government's immediate focus on verifying circumstances surrounding the detentions, confirming the identities and legal status of those taken into custody, and determining whether Seoul's consular access and legal protections have been respected. Officials said any decision to dispatch a senior official to Georgia or to send Cho to Washington would be coordinated with the U.S. government and driven by developments in the ongoing inquiries.
Seoul's statements emphasized adherence to legal process while underscoring the government's responsibility to protect the welfare of its citizens abroad. Beyond consular assistance, the foreign ministry said it would maintain close communication with family members of those detained and continue consultations with U.S. authorities to clarify the facts and next steps.