Companies Remain Cautious Even with Trump Soothed, "Specific Measures Needed"

Firm Stance on Business Trips: Principle-Based and Conservative Approach; Legal Consultations Also Requested

Visa Improvement Outlook Uncertain; "Chaos Will Continue Without Substantive Policy Changes"

Growing Anxiety Over US Business Trips; Concerns of Worsening Local Labor Shortages

While the situation appears to be heading towards resolution with the upcoming release of over 300 Korean workers detained by U.S. immigration authorities for illegal overstaying, companies are concerned about the prolonged and widespread impact of this incident.

This is because traditional practices of business travel and work, which had been tacitly accepted, have been completely blocked, and the large-scale crackdown, occurring amidst sensitive tariff negotiations, has put U.S.-Korea relations to the test.

Although the government has pledged to improve the visa system and U.S. President Donald Trump has shown willingness to resolve the situation, it remains uncertain whether the significantly dampened sentiment can recover in a short period.

Company officials waiting for a meeting at a detention facility (Folkston, Georgia, USA = Yonhap News) By Reporter Lee Yu-mi = Company officials are seen waiting for a meeting in front of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Folkston, Georgia, USA, on the 7th (local time). 2025.9.8 yumi@yna.co.kr

◇ Companies Hasten Review of Business Trip Practices and Preparation of Countermeasures

According to industry sources on the 8th, companies are using this incident as an opportunity to review their existing U.S. business travel practices and expedite the development of institutional safeguards.

LG Energy Solution, which had over 300 personnel, including its partners, detained, has issued a directive to its employees to completely suspend business trips to the U.S. except for customer meetings.

Current travelers have also been instructed to return immediately or await further instructions at their accommodations, depending on the work status.

Hyundai Motor has also decided to postpone U.S. business trips for the time being, except for essential cases.

Hyundai Motor explained that while there are no separate measures planned for resident employees in the U.S. who are working with valid visas, they are thoroughly reviewing immigration laws and employment verification requirements.

Some domestic companies have decided to request consultations from law firms, in addition to internal reviews, regarding the scope of work permitted under each type of U.S. visa.

A representative from a company with operations in the U.S. stated, "We have received a strong cautionary lesson from this incident and will apply travel guidelines more conservatively going forward," adding, "We intend to conduct all U.S. business trips on a strictly principle-based basis."

The shipbuilding industry, which is to undertake the $150 billion MASGA (Make American Shipbuilding Great Again) project, a symbol of U.S.-Korea economic and security cooperation under a potential second Trump administration, is also on high alert.

While these companies do not currently have any large-scale facility construction projects underway, they require personnel for smaller business trips or resident staff for technical collaboration and local business coordination.

Hanwha Ocean, which acquired the U.S. Philadelphia Shipyard last year, stated, "Currently, all dozens of dispatched personnel are working with valid visas, so there is no significant impact," adding, "We are closely monitoring the situation and maintaining close communication with our U.S. counterparts to ensure that the momentum of U.S.-Korea shipbuilding cooperation, heightened by MASGA, does not stagnate."

LG Energy Solution Chief Human Resources Officer departs for the U.S. to respond to immigration crackdown detention incident (Yeongjongdo = Yonhap News) By Reporter Seo Dae-yeon = With over 300 Koreans detained in a crackdown on illegal immigrants at the Hyundai Motor Group-LG Energy Solution plant in Georgia by U.S. immigration authorities, LG Energy Solution Chief Human Resources Officer Kim Ki-soo is seen departing for the U.S. to respond on-site from Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport on the 7th.

Among the detained individuals, 47 were affiliated with LG Energy Solution (46 Korean nationals and 1 Indonesian national), and approximately 250 were identified as belonging to equipment suppliers for HL-GA battery company. 2025.9.7 dwise@yna.co.kr

◇ "Hope for Discussion Starting Point" for Soothing Trump vs. "Lingering Concerns of Recurrence"

Companies anticipate that a passive atmosphere will continue in their U.S. business operations for some time unless the visa issue between South Korea and the U.S. is fundamentally resolved.

The Presidential Office announced yesterday that it would "promote a review and improvement plan for the visa system for travelers involved in U.S. projects in cooperation with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and relevant companies."

However, given that a bill to establish the E-4 visa for up to 15,000 skilled Korean workers, for which the South Korean government has been actively lobbying for U.S. legislation, has failed to pass Congress for over a decade, it is difficult to predict when systemic improvements will be made.

Reactions are mixed regarding President Trump's statement that he "maintains a very good relationship with Korea" and that he would bring Korean personnel needed in industries such as shipbuilding, batteries, and computers to the U.S.

While there is hope that this could serve as a starting point for discussions on improving the visa system, as the U.S. requires cooperation with Korea to actively develop industries like shipbuilding and batteries, there remains skepticism given President Trump's unpredictability and his anti-immigration policy stance, suggesting that similar incidents could recur at any time.

A company official commented, "From the U.S. perspective, they cannot indefinitely halt factory construction to attract continuous investment and secure jobs," adding, "This statement by President Trump should lead to concrete and constructive discussions."

However, another company official pointed out, "It seems to be merely an appeasement strategy, prompted by domestic and international criticism after conducting an excessive crackdown for their domestic base," adding, "The stark difference between President Trump's remarks and the on-site atmosphere only exacerbates corporate confusion."

U.S. President Donald Trump [AFP=Yonhap News. Resale and DB prohibited]

◇ Fear of 'Phobia' for U.S. Business Trips; LG Energy Solution Likely to Arrange Return Flights

Concerns are also rising that it will become even more difficult to find personnel to send to the U.S. in the future.

Although efforts are underway for the detained individuals to return through voluntary repatriation, without facing disadvantages for future U.S. entry, on-site anxiety persists.

A company official said, "Everyone has clearly witnessed what happened this time. Who wouldn't be anxious if they were told to go on a business trip to the U.S.?" adding, "It will become even harder to find people willing to work in the U.S. in the future."

Meanwhile, it has been reported that LG Energy Solution will arrange a charter flight for the detained personnel, who are expected to return around the 10th after completing U.S. administrative procedures.