South Korea Prioritizes Worker Visa Issues Amidst Massive U.S. Investment Plans

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun announced on Friday that the government would address visa difficulties faced by Korean workers in the United States before executing a $350 billion investment plan associated with a bilateral trade agreement.

His statement followed a U.S. immigration operation leading to the arrest of several South Korean workers at a Hyundai Motor battery facility in Georgia. Although most workers have returned to South Korea, the incident has sparked demands for a specialized visa category to facilitate skilled Korean workers in establishing new factories and training American employees.

Despite these visa concerns, Cho clarified that they do not serve as a prerequisite for the U.S. investment in vital industries. He also discussed South Korea's aim to advance cultural collaboration with China during the upcoming APEC summit, amidst ongoing tensions over U.S. missile defenses.

(With inputs from agencies.)