Fact-check analysisVerified as of September 7, 2025Curated by FactVerify
True

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung orders emergency response after 300+ South Koreans detained in U.S. ICE raid at Hyundai-LG battery plant in Georgia.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has ordered an emergency response following the detention of over 300 South Korean nationals in a U.S. ICE immigration raid at the Hyundai-LG battery plant in Georgia.

South Korea Responds to ICE Raid on Hyundai Plant in Georgia - Newsweek

South Korea Responds to ICE Raid on Hyundai Plant in Georgia - Newsweek

Source: newsweek.com

At a glance

Key Evidence

Verified September 7, 2025
The reporting

What the Evidence Shows

Multiple independent and reliable news sources confirm that U.S. Immigration authorities conducted a large-scale raid at the Hyundai-LG battery plant construction site in Georgia, detaining approximately 475 workers, of whom more than 300 were South Korean nationals. This event is described as one of the largest immigration raids by the Department of Homeland Security. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung publicly vowed a strong and immediate response to support the detained citizens, signaling high-level diplomatic concern and emergency measures from Seoul.

Key points from the sources include:

The number of detainees ranges around 475 total, with over 300 identified as South Korean workers.indiatoday.inindiatoday.inSouth Korea: President Lee Jae Myung vows strong response after 300 South...businessinsider.combusinessinsider.comSouth Korea responds after ICE detains 475 workers at a Hyundai-LG battery plant...+2 more

The raid has triggered diplomatic tensions, with South Korea condemning what it calls an 'unfair infringement' on its nationals' rights.independent.co.ukindependent.co.ukSouth Korea condemns ‘unfair infringement’ after ICE raid on Hyundai plant in...newsweek.comnewsweek.comSouth Korea Responds to ICE Raid on Hyundai Plant in Georgia

President Lee Jae-myung has vowed strong action and support for those detained, indicating an official emergency response.reuters.comreuters.comSouth Korean President vows support to Koreans arrested in US immigration raid+1 more

The incident has drawn significant media attention and prompted discussions of diplomatic engagement between South Korea and the U.S.nytimes.comnytimes.comSouth Koreans Are Swept Up in Immigration Raid at Hyundai Plant in Georgianpr.orgnpr.orgICE arrests at a Georgia Hyundai plant create new tension with South Korea : NPR

The consistency across multiple reputable sources including Reuters, The New York Times, Forbes, and others supports the accuracy of the claim. There is no credible contradictory information disputing the involvement of President Lee or the scale of detentions.

Therefore, based on comprehensive evidence from diverse high-quality sources dated September 2025, the input statement is verified as true.

Primary trail

Verified Sources10

South Korea condemns ‘unfair infringement’ after ICE raid on Hyundai plant in...

independent.co.uk
Open source

South Korea: President Lee Jae Myung vows strong response after 300 South...

indiatoday.in
Open source

South Korea responds after ICE detains 475 workers at a Hyundai-LG battery plant...

businessinsider.com
Open source
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