[Hyundai-LG raid fallout] “Why don’t they hire us for the construction?”: local labor unions discontent at Korean companies accumulated to ICE raid

The shocking incident in which more than 300 Koreans were detained during an immigration authority “raid” at the construction site of a Korean battery company’s plant in Georgia is said to have been fueled by discontent among local workers and residents. While the large-scale investment and construction had raised hopes of a jobs boom, the companies were seen as favoring short-term Korean workers over local hires, leading to resentment in the community.

According to reports from The New York Times (NYT) and Associated Press (AP) on the 8th (local time), local workers in Georgia argue that they are not being given “fair employment opportunities” at the Hyundai plant complex, which receives U.S. government subsidies. They claim that since foreign companies often bring in engineers and technicians from their home countries, the projects are not providing meaningful benefits to American workers. Since Korean conglomerates have followed this model in building other plants in the U.S., observers warn that similar situations could occur at future sites.

Christi Hume, president of the Savannah-area Central Labor Council, told AP, “We’ve seen reports that Korean workers were pouring concrete, erecting steel frames, doing carpentry, and installing pipes at the site. That’s labor that should be done by Americans, not replaced by illegal immigrants.” Barry Zeigle, manager of Local 188, another Georgia union, also told NYT, “People think Koreans are here to do something special, but that’s nonsense. Korean welders and pipefitters were working right there on site.”

An official from LG Energy Solution’s local subsidiary, however, countered this view when meeting Korean reporters near the detention facility that day, saying, “Most of the remaining work isn’t standard construction labor, but rather specialized technical work such as equipment installation.”

That said, the phenomenon is not unique to Korean firms. Taiwan’s TSMC, the world’s largest foundry, is also reported to rely heavily on Taiwanese labor for its plant in Phoenix, Arizona. This suggests that similar incidents could recur anytime, anywhere. Betony Jones, former U.S. Department of Energy jobs official, explained to NYT: “High-tech firms are very sensitive about intellectual property, but this practice clashes with the demands of American labor unions, who want the jobs themselves.”

It’s not only workers but also residents of Savannah and Ellabell, where the plant is located, who have shown cold attitudes toward the Koreans. Locals complain that the companies prefer hiring temporary workers flown in from Korea instead of employing local residents, preventing integration into the community.

CNN reported: “The community expected 8,500 permanent jobs when the plant was attracted, but so far the workforce is mostly single men working short-term contracts or on temporary visas, rotating every few months. This looks very different from other cases where families put down roots in schools, churches, and neighborhoods.”

In fact, some residents have reportedly shouted insults or voiced unease at Korean workers shopping at local groceries that sell Korean frozen foods. CNN noted: “Residents feel deep anxiety about these massive projects that reshape towns around a migrant labor force. The expectation of major job creation has lost credibility as the projects fail to integrate into the community.”