Trump offered to let S. Korean detainees stay, train U.S. workers, Seoul says

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/09/11/trump-south-korea-hyundai-raid-visas/

28 comments

  4. Koreans went out to the middle of nowhere to build factories, and then ICE showed up and treated the workers like criminals or terrorists—throwing people in chains.

    Yes, many of these workers came in on ESTA, which technically doesn’t allow employment. But they weren’t here to earn U.S. wages. They came for short-term technical transfers—installing equipment and training—before heading straight back to Korea.

    America wanted the investment and the factories built, but instead of providing the right visas, they suddenly arrested people.

    Right now, Korean public sentiment toward the U.S. feels, if I exaggerate just a little, on par with the outrage after the 2002 armored vehicle incident (Two middle school girls were killed in an accident involving a U.S. military vehicle). And yet Korea has always considered the U.S. a strong ally—following its lead like a big brother. This is the result?

    Big powers don’t protect small ones; they exploit them. And in a different context—do you really think Russia will just stop at Ukraine?

  5. Let me see if I have this straight. You want me to train an American to do my job, then what? Deport me to an unknown 3rd world prison?

    Release the files, then we’ll talk.

  8. After being shackled and paraded around?

    Wouldn’t surprise me if they all told him to go pound sand.

  10. I’m sure they were all champing at the bit to return and possibly get scooped up again 

  11. If it were me who’d been terrorized by ICE, chained up and thrown in some stinking holding pen, I would not be able to get out of the US fast enough

  13. Please tell me South Korea Yoinked all investments because of this. So tired of everyone treating TACO like a make-a-wish kid. The bowing and scraping needs to stop.

  14. Maybe Korea should help improve the spelling to BRICKS instead of BRICS.

  15. So arrest a bunch of employees, be ready to deport them and then expect them to train their replacements? That’s rich, I already thought Trump was dumb, but jesus christ man, really?

  16. Offered? But they were here legally.

    Classic Trump to make it seem like something you’re entitled to is a personal favor from him.

  17. My company sold machines to the US and I would travel to US under ESTA to supervise the installation of the machine, tune the machine and train the operators and staff. I was earning a wage paid by my company in my home currency and after a few weeks I would leave USA. Guessing I won’t be doing that anymore cos I dont want to end up in Uganda

  18. TRUMP: Now that we have arrested you and sent you to jail. We realize that we need you to show us how to run the equipment to allow Americans to have jobs. So how about you show us what you know before heading home?

    SOUTH KOREA: As generous of an offer that is I think we are going to pass.

    TRUMP: Ungrateful country South Korea .. sad!

  19. That’s what they were going to do in the first place!!! Now he gets off looking like a charitable, merciful person. Dammit I fucking hate this man.

  20. Since donald trump is best at everything, he can lean in and help with his wast knowledge. Not to mention elon musk has been saying constantly he know everything about production. Maybe he can assist.

  21. The message being sent is the USA is pivoting away from its allies.

  22. This was deeply insulting to South Korea, not just Hyundai. I won’t be surprised it South Korea gives Trump a cold shoulder in future dealings.

  23. I hope the plant closes and they move production to S.K. or even in Canada.

  25. Offer? Screw you, Trump. Now they’re gone and likely not coming back. And prepare for the consequence when South Korea reassess their plan of investing in US.

  26. The manager that asks you to stay on and train your replacement after they fired you and is shocked at your audacity when you decline. 

  27. He didn’t offer he was more likely begging after this complete fuck up on ices part. Glad they told him to fuck off.

  28. The hell they will. After you humuliate the Koreans like that? Pull out all investments, go work with Chinese where they will be respected.

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