Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to Meet Hyundai and LG Energy Leaders After Immigration Raid

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is set to meet with South Korean business leaders this week, including executives from Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution, following a controversial immigration raid that detained hundreds of Korean workers. According to South Korea’s Maeil Business Newspaper, the visit underscores efforts to repair ties and ensure smooth progress on major investment projects in the state.

The meeting comes after U.S. immigration authorities raided the construction site of a $4.3 billion electric vehicle (EV) battery plant in Georgia, jointly owned by Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution. The September raid led to the detention of hundreds of South Korean workers accused of working without proper visas. Although they were released after a week of diplomatic talks between Seoul and Washington, the incident drew strong reactions from both governments and delayed the factory’s startup by up to three months, Hyundai’s CEO confirmed.

The EV battery plant, located near Savannah, is a 50-50 joint venture between Hyundai and LGES and will produce battery cells for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis EV models. It is part of Hyundai’s broader $12.6 billion investment in Georgia, which includes a recently opened car manufacturing facility. The state government has hailed the initiative as the largest economic development project in Georgia’s history.

In response to the visa challenges, U.S. authorities recently agreed to allow South Korean technicians to work under temporary visa arrangements and open new pathways for business-related travel. This move aims to support the rapid expansion of Korean investment in the U.S. EV and clean energy sectors.

South Korea remains Georgia’s third-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding $17.5 billion in 2023, according to the governor’s office — a partnership expected to strengthen through Kemp’s ongoing outreach to Korean industry leaders.