LG Energy Solution Resumes US Worker Trips After Visa Crackdown

LG Energy Solution is resuming business trips for its South Korean employees to the US starting October 10, following a raid last month on its joint battery plant with Hyundai Motor in Georgia that led to the detention of around 300 workers. The company confirmed that employees holding B-1 visas and those authorized under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will be allowed to travel for essential tasks such as equipment installation, inspection, and repair. This decision came after a US-Korea working group clarified visa permissions, easing tensions caused by the incident which had sparked diplomatic concerns and impacted supplier confidence. LG Energy Solution plans to rely primarily on B-1 visa holders and will engage local legal services to ensure compliance with travel documentation requirements. Despite the resumption of trips, suppliers remain cautious about sending staff to the US due to lingering apprehensions from the raid. The situation highlights ongoing challenges at the intersection of immigration enforcement and international business operations between close US and South Korean allies.