By Nora Eckert
Copyright reuters
CompaniesIvar Løges StiftelseLG Energy Solutions Japan K.K.Hyundai Motor Co
DETROIT, Sept 16 (Reuters) – The head of LG Energy Solution’s North American business said on Tuesday the battery maker is hopeful about negotiations around visas for its workers following a massive raid on its joint-venture plant with Hyundai (005380.KS), opens new tab in Georgia.
“We’re cautiously optimistic that this type of thing will not happen again,” said Robert Lee, president for LG Energy Solution (373220.KS), opens new tab in North America.
The raid earlier this month by U.S. authorities led to the arrest of about 475 workers, and set the battery plant at the site back at least two to three months, Hyundai’s CEO said last week, opens new tab. Many of those workers returned to Korea last week.
Advertisement · Scroll to continue
“We feel really bad for all of our workers as well as our subcontractors who came here on business to install equipment and they were detained,” Lee added, speaking at an automotive conference in Detroit.
Reuters previously reported that workers at other LGES production sites went home after the raid because of visa concerns.
Lee reiterated what the CEO of LGES previously stated: production across its facilities would not be meaningfully affected by these changes.
“We have to try to find a plan that works, regardless of various different scenarios. That’s what we’re doing,” Lee said on the sidelines of the event.
Advertisement · Scroll to continue
In the wake of the raid, Washington and Seoul have agreed to discuss establishing a new visa category for Koreans, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun has said.
It is typical for automotive complexes to bring on droves of workers to install equipment, especially for battery plants, where the suppliers have expertise. Lee said he is encouraged by the U.S. and Korea’s discussions to improve that cumbersome visa approval process.
Ad Break Coming Up
NEXT StayNext
OffEnglish
180p288p360p480p540p576p720pHD1080pHDAuto (180p)
About ConnatixV2042595391
About ConnatixV2042595391
Continue watchingafter the adVisit Advertiser websiteGO TO PAGE
Reporting by Nora Eckert; Editing by Mike Colias and Richard Chang
Purchase Licensing Rights
Nora EckertThomson ReutersNora Eckert reports on the automotive industry from Detroit. She covers Ford, GM, Stellantis and the United Auto Workers, with a focus on the industry’s transition to EVs. She was previously a reporter for The Wall Street Journal in Detroit, where she broke news on major automakers and the UAW. She was earlier part of a WSJ investigations team that was recognized as a finalist for the 2021 Pulitzer Prize. Nora began her career as an investigative reporter with the Rochester Post Bulletin in Minnesota, where she focused on the state’s organ transplant system and prisons.
