Georgia Governor Brian Kemp Aims to Mend Ties with South Korean Business Leaders

Georgia's Governor Brian Kemp will meet executives from Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution following an immigration raid that detained hundreds of South Korean workers. The meeting aims to address visa challenges and bolster South Korean investment in Georgia, including a $4.3 billion EV battery venture.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is set to engage with South Korean business executives from Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution this week. This diplomatic effort follows a controversial immigration raid at a jointly-owned battery plant under construction in Georgia, which saw the detention of hundreds of South Korean workers.

The raid, carried out by U.S. immigration authorities in September, raised concerns over visa issues faced by specialized South Korean workers. Both Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution have withheld comments on the incident, as has Kemp's public relations team.

This meeting aims to smooth over relations by addressing visa access and ensuring continued investment from South Korea. Hyundai and LG's $4.3 billion battery plant, a critical component of Hyundai's $12.6 billion investment in Georgia, finds itself delayed following the raid's fallout.

(With inputs from agencies.)