President Lee Sends Letters to 300 South Koreans Detained in US—'Feel the Weight of Responsibility'

(Seoul=Yonhap Infomax) Ji Seo Jeong – It was confirmed on the 24th that President Lee Jae-myung has sent letters of consolation to approximately 300 South Korean workers who were detained by US immigration authorities at a battery plant construction site in Georgia last September.

According to the presidential office, President Lee began sending letters to the victims of the detention incident through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs starting from the 22nd of last month.

President Lee expressed his sympathy, stating, "It is difficult to fathom how fearful and lonely the time must have been for you in a distant foreign land."

He continued, "As the president responsible for the safety of our citizens, I was constantly on edge after hearing the sudden news, unable to focus on other matters. Even as I received real-time updates on the negotiations, I found it hard to sleep, thinking of you enduring anxiety and fear in the face of injustice."

President Lee added, "I am sincerely grateful that you did not lose hope and endured such a difficult time to the end. I deeply appreciate your composure and patience in trusting the government's response."

He further stated, "This incident has made me reflect once again on the role and weight of responsibility of the presidency. The government will mobilize all diplomatic and institutional capabilities to ensure that South Korean citizens are not deprived of their legitimate rights anywhere in the world, and that our companies can continue their economic activities with confidence and freedom."

Additionally, President Lee emphasized, "We will demand that such incidents never recur and will work closely to establish reasonable and sustainable measures. We will also strive to ensure that all those who were detained face no disadvantages when revisiting the United States."

In September, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted a raid at the Hyundai Motor Group–LG Energy Solution joint battery plant construction site in Georgia, detaining 317 South Korean workers. The workers were released after a week in detention and returned to South Korea.

jsjeong@yna.co.kr

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