SEOUL, October 1 (AJP) - South Korea has agreed with the U.S. to set up a dedicated visa desk at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul to streamline visa processes for South Korean companies investing in the U.S.
The decision was made after the two sides met in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday for their first meeting since forming a working group to address the issue.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs here said the desk is expected to launch sometime in October, with details to be announced on the U.S. Embassy's website soon.
The meeting was attended by officials from both countries' foreign, labor, and other relevant ministries, including Kevin Kim, a senior official from the U.S. State Department's Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.
The U.S. clarified the activities allowed for workers under the B-1 business visa, confirming that they can apply for it to provide services including the installation and repair of equipment and devices in the U.S. The same activities are also permitted those under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
The clarification comes after a sweeping raid by U.S. immigration authorities, which detained more than 300 South Koreans, mostly employees of Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution, working at a joint electric vehicle battery plant under construction in Georgia, who held either ESTA or B-1/B-2 visas.
Agreeing to strengthen cooperation between South Korean consulates and U.S. immigration agencies, the U.S. pledged to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
South Korea stressed the need to fundamentally improve its visa-issuance process to facilitate investment and implement projects there, while the U.S. admitted legislative hurdles but pledged to come up with feasible solutions.
LG Energy Solution welcomed the establishment of the dedicated visa desk, thanking the government for the swift measure. "We will thoroughly prepare and work diligently to complete the construction and operation of our U.S. plants as scheduled," the company said in a statement.
* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
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