Trump said today (September 8): "After the immigration enforcement action taken against the Hyundai Motor battery factory in Georgia, I hereby call on all foreign companies investing in the United States to strictly respect our country's immigration laws. We welcome your investments and encourage you to bring in highly intelligent individuals with exceptional technical talents, to jointly create world-class products; we will quickly and lawfully facilitate this. As a return, we only require you to employ and train American workers. Through joint efforts, we will make our country not only productive but also more united than ever before. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

On September 4 local time, multiple federal agencies such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Homeland Security Investigations conducted a surprise enforcement operation at a battery plant located near Savannah, Georgia, which was co-built by South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution, arresting 475 workers, over 300 of whom were South Korean citizens. The U.S. stated that those arrested may have entered illegally or had expired visas or no work visas, and were considered illegally residing. This operation is the largest single-site enforcement action by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security targeting undocumented immigrants to date.

Upon the release of the news, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs quickly expressed "concern and regret," emphasizing that the legitimate rights and interests of South Korean citizens and enterprises would not be violated, and held an emergency meeting to discuss countermeasures, and communicated with the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, requesting a proper resolution. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol instructed to fully respond, and Foreign Minister Park Jin said that he would go to Washington if necessary for negotiations.

Comments: Yoon Suk-yeol just returned from the White House on August 25, and only 11 days later, the United States conducted an enforcement operation at the Hyundai Motor battery plant in Georgia, arresting more than 300 South Korean citizens, which is undoubtedly a heavy "slap." When Yoon Suk-yeol visited the U.S., he actively showed goodwill and made a $350 billion investment commitment, hoping to gain respect and cooperation from the U.S., but instead, his own citizens were arrested. This quick change of attitude has rendered the diplomatic efforts of the South Korean government futile, and has brought shame to South Korea in the international community. In the eyes of the U.S., the interests of allies and diplomatic etiquette must give way to domestic politics and self-interest, without considering the feelings of South Korea as an ally. This incident may prompt South Korea to re-examine its relationship with the U.S.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1842655422255111/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author.