South Korea’s Lee says ‘bewildering’ Hyundai raid could hit US investment
At a news conference marking his 100 days in office, President Lee also said he would pursue efforts to improve ties with North Korea
“Our companies that have already expanded investment there must be in a very bewildered state,” Lee said at a news conference marking his 100 days in office.
“From their perspective, they can’t help but wonder, ‘if establishing a local plant in the US only brings various disadvantages or difficulties in the future, should we really do it?’”
Seoul’s foreign ministry later said that US authorities have released the 330 detainees – 316 of them South Koreans – and that they were being transported by buses to Atlanta where they will board a charter flight scheduled to arrive in South Korea on Friday afternoon.
The operation, which sent shock waves through South Korea, was seen as a blemish on the first 100 days of Lee’s presidency – a period otherwise marked by what observers describe as “visible and diligent leadership”.