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Tesla canceled, Hyundai GV70 chosen amid Georgia detention anger | Over 300 Koreans detained in Georgia; 59.2% disappointed with U.S. actions

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Tesla canceled, Hyundai GV70 chosen amid Georgia detention anger | Over 300 Koreans detained in Georgia; 59.2% disappointed with U.S. actions

A South Korean consumer who had reserved a Tesla vehicle canceled the order in response to the mass detention of Koreans at a Hyundai Motor Group-LG Energy Solution joint battery factory in Georgia, the United States.

On the 10th, an online automotive community posted an article titled, “I Canceled My Tesla.”

Writer A, who signed a purchase contract last May, stated, “I was eagerly awaiting my Model Y Long Range White with white wheels, but after hearing about the Georgia detention incident, I was so angry that I canceled the order.”

He added, “Since there’s no better alternative, I plan to buy a Hyundai Motor GV70” and noted, “I wrote in the cancellation reason, ‘I am canceling due to anger over the Georgia Korean detention incident.’”

He further explained, “I was furious at the U.S. government’s actions and wanted to express my feelings. Isn’t it my right to use my own money as I wish?”

A also disclosed the vehicle purchase contract, which listed the price at 66,990,000 Korean won.

Netizens reacted with comments such as, “You made a rare decision,” “I’m also angry and considering a boycott of U.S. products,” and “I’ll choose a domestic car for the same reason.”

Earlier, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 475 foreign workers on the 4th at the construction site of the Hyundai Motor Group-LG Energy Solution joint battery factory in Georgia, citing “activities inconsistent with their stay purposes.”

Among those detained, over 300 were Korean, including 47 LG Energy Solution employees and over 250 subcontractor workers. No Hyundai Motor Group employees were detained.

Most of the detainees held B1 visas for meetings or contracts or Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) permits but were targeted for “activities inconsistent with their stay purposes.”

This incident left 59.2% of South Koreans disappointed with the U.S. government, according to a survey of 508 adults aged 18 or older conducted by Realmeter on the 8th. Only 30.7% understood the U.S. government’s actions as unavoidable, while 10.2% responded, “I’m not sure.”

The South Korean government plans to repatriate the detainees using a Korean Air charter flight and will support their swift return through consultations between South Korean and U.S. authorities.

Originally scheduled to depart from the site on the 10th at 2:30 p.m. local time (3:30 a.m., Korean time on the 11th), the flight was delayed due to local circumstances.

President Lee Jae-myung stated on the 11th, “The detained workers are scheduled to be released from the facility at 3 p.m. local time. A total of 330 people, including foreigners, will depart via a flight at 1 a.m. the following day.”

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