South Korea Plans $350B US Investment Amid Visa Disputes After Georgia Immigration Raid

South Korea is pressing the United States to resolve visa issues faced by Korean workers before proceeding with a $350 billion investment package, part of a bilateral trade deal aimed at strengthening economic ties. The urgency follows a recent U.S. immigration raid at a Hyundai-LG battery plant in Georgia, where over 300 Korean workers were detained, raising concerns about the treatment of foreign labor and prompting calls for a new visa category to facilitate skilled Korean workers' involvement in U.S. projects. South Korean officials, including Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo, have emphasized that while visa policy is not a formal precondition, resolving these issues is critical for practical investment progress. The incident has strained bilateral relations, with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung warning that such enforcement actions could deter future investment, and Seoul advocating for stronger protections for its firms operating abroad. Concurrently, negotiations continue over tariff disputes, with Seoul seeking formal U.S. commitments to reduce tariffs on South Korean automobiles and parts to 15 percent, amid concerns about tariff uncertainty affecting trade competitiveness. The situation highlights the tension between U.S. immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump and his administration's calls for increased foreign investment, complicating the broader economic partnership between the two countries.