Labor and Civil Society React to Georgia Detention Incident as "Violent Human Rights Violation"

[Financial News] Amid the detention of over 300 Korean workers by US immigration authorities at the Hyundai Motor Group-LG Energy Solution joint battery plant construction site in Georgia, USA, voices condemning the Donald Trump administration are growing in labor and civil society circles. They demand an official apology, claiming that US authorities violently violated the human rights of Korean workers.
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), the National Unification Peace Alliance, and other labor and civic groups held a "Press Conference Condemning the Humiliating Forced Investment in the US and Violent Human Rights Violations Against Korean Workers by the Trump Administration" in front of the US Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 9th, stating, "The US Trump administration must immediately apologize and promise to prevent a recurrence, having responded to astronomical investments in the US by arresting and detaining Korean workers."
They criticized, "Hundreds of armed agents, hundreds of vehicles including armored vehicles, and even helicopters were mobilized for the crackdown at the Georgia battery plant construction site," adding, "The hands and feet of our workers arrested by US authorities were chained, which is a clear human rights violation that violates the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, which protect the rights and safety of detainees."
They further stated, "Korea is being driven into a situation where even the safety and basic rights of our workers are not guaranteed despite pouring in billions of dollars," and "the concern is growing that this may not be the end but the beginning. The Trump administration must stop the economic exploitation carried out in the name of alliance."
On the same day, Um Mi-kyung, acting secretary-general of the KCTU, also emphasized, "The image of Korean workers being dragged away in chains as if they were serious criminals was broadcast to the world, and it is unforgivable," adding, "The KCTU will fight to the end against the disgraceful behavior of the US and also to immediately stop the Lee Jae-myung administration's investment in the US."
The Candlelight Action, the Korean University Student Progressive Union (Daejinyeon), and the National Sovereignty Party held a "Protest Rally Condemning the Trump Administration and Demanding the Release of Our Citizens Detained" in front of the US Embassy the previous afternoon, demanding the immediate release of the detained Koreans and an apology from the US government.
They argued, "The US calls our workers building a factory on US soil under US pressure illegal immigrants," adding, "The US, which does not pay a penny (rent) for the Pyeongtaek US military base, the US Embassy, etc., is illegal itself. We must show the power of the sovereign people of Korea."
A survey result also showed disappointment in the US government regarding this incident. According to a survey conducted by Realmeter on the 8th with 508 people aged 18 and over, 59.2% of respondents said they were "disappointed in the US government due to excessive measures," while 30.7% said they "understand the US government due to unavoidable measures," and 10.2% said they "don't know."
Earlier, on the 4th (local time), US immigration authorities conducted an immigration crackdown operation at the Hyundai Motor Group-LG Energy Solution joint battery plant construction site in Ellabell, Georgia, detaining 475 people, including over 300 Koreans. They have been detained for five days at the Folkston Detention Facility and the Stewart Detention Facility (for female employees).


welcome@fnnews.com Jang Yuha, reporter