Trump "Good relations with South Korea…If there's a shortage of battery workers, we should bring them in" [Comprehensive]

After mass arrests and detentions of Koreans, "Good relations with South Korea"

"Just concluded a trade agreement…Considering bringing in battery workers"

At the Hyundai Motor Group–LG Energy Solution joint battery plant in Georgia, about 300 Korean workers were found and arrested or detained in raids by U.S. immigration authorities, but U.S. President Donald Trump said this would not harm relations with South Korea.

President Trump, speaking to reporters on the 7th (local time), was asked whether he thought the incident would strain U.S.-South Korea relations and replied, "No. We have a very good relationship with South Korea."

He reiterated, "We have a really good relationship. As you know, we have just concluded a trade agreement (with Korea)," and added, "If this country currently lacks people who know about batteries, we should help them by bringing some of those workers (to the U.S.) so our people can be trained to do complex work, whether it's battery manufacturing, computer manufacturing, or shipbuilding."

He also said, "There are many industries we no longer have. We need to exchange personnel. The way to train workers is to bring in people proficient in the field, have them stay for a certain period, and receive their help."

Earlier on the 5th, President Trump said regarding the arrest of Korean workers, "I think they were illegal immigrants, and ICE did its job." The U.S. government has secured large investments from Korean companies but has not issued enough visas that allow employment and work within the U.S., and attention is focused on whether this issue will be resolved.

President Trump said, "We need to bring in experts to train our citizens so that they can do it themselves," and added, "I understand exactly what they said, so I will look into it."

Kim Su-young, Hankyung.com reporter swimmingk@hankyung.com