The U.S. and South Korea have begun talks to address visa system loopholes for companies investing in the U.S., following the Georgia Korean Detention Incident. This move has brought relief to the domestic industry. U.S. officials have officially confirmed that holders of short-term B-1 business visas and those with Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) can engage in equipment installation, inspection, and repair work within the country. However, some industry insiders caution that this is just the first step and remain wary of potential curveballs from Donald Trump’s administration.
Legal Recognition Welcomed by Industry, Seen as a Preventive Measure
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the U.S. and South Korea launched the Korea-U.S. Business Visit and Visa Working Group in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, holding their first round of discussions. During this meeting, U.S. officials clarified the scope of activities permitted for B-1 visa holders, confirming they can engage in installation, inspection, and repair work. ESTA entrants are also allowed to operate within the same parameters.
The industry has welcomed this development, hoping it will prevent a recurrence of the detention incident at the HI-GA Battery Company in Georgia. Many of the 317 Korean workers arrested during last month’s battery plant crackdown held ESTA or B-1 visas.
LG Energy Solution, which had several employees detained in the previous incident, issued a statement expressing gratitude for the government’s swift support. The company pledged to thoroughly prepare for normalizing construction and operations at its U.S. plants under this new agreement.
An industry insider noted that while further discussions between the two countries are pending, the acknowledgment of B-1 visa and ESTA-related activities as legitimate has alleviated some uncertainty. The shipbuilding sector, anticipating significant U.S.-Korea collaboration, expects this agreement to facilitate smoother on-site operations as partnerships advance.
Uncertainty Lingers Amid Concerns over the Trump Administration
However, not all uncertainties have been resolved. One industry representative cautioned that they’ve thought visa issues wouldn’t be a problem during the previous crackdown, but the detention still happened. Nothing is set in stone yet, so they need to keep a close eye on the situation.
Another official criticized the apparent disconnect, stating that while Georgia authorities are requesting the return of Korean workers, President Trump continues his visa trading rhetoric. Major conglomerates like Samsung, LG, and SK have not issued official statements, but a sense of caution is palpable.
As a result, major companies are likely to adopt a wait-and-see approach before adjusting their policies. A Hyundai Motor Group spokesperson stated they plan to carefully review the announced details and refine their guidelines accordingly.
It’s important to note that this agreement is limited to short-term measures. Further clarification is needed regarding the specifics of equipment installation, inspection, and repair work abroad. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that the U.S. would soon release relevant information through a fact sheet.
Discussions about establishing a separate visa quota for Korean professionals have only reached a consensus on the need for further negotiations, adding another layer of uncertainty. The South Korean government has been pushing for the Partners with Korea Act (PWKA), which includes creating 15,000 E-4 visas for Korean professionals, but progress has stalled for over a decade. Securing separate visa quotas for existing visas, similar to arrangements with Australia and Singapore, remains a challenge.