LG Energy Solution has resumed construction of its joint battery plant (HL-GA) with Hyundai Motor Group in Georgia, USA, following a temporary halt caused by the detention of employees by U.S. immigration authorities, as reported by Pulse, the English service of Maeil Business Newspaper Korea.
The company has expedited work at the site now that employees, who had been detained last month, have returned to their duties, effectively ending the brief suspension of on-site operations. According to the report, LG Energy Solution staff and partner employees returned to work on Tuesday after a month-long paid leave, which coincided with the Chuseok holidays. This follows a disruption in early September, known as the “Georgia detention incident,” which temporarily stalled the project’s progress.
An official from LG Energy Solution stated, “Since the plant has not yet entered full-scale operation, our initial focus will be on ensuring the construction progresses smoothly. We will continue to monitor any potential changes in the U.S. business environment and visa-related risks before finalizing plans for manpower deployment.”
Project-related companies like LG CNS and Hyundai Engineering, along with other partner staff, are also expected to resume their business trips to the site soon.
The report also highlighted that during a recent Korea-U.S. working group meeting, Washington reportedly assured that holders of short-term business (B-1) visas and those entering under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be allowed to engage in equipment installation and inspection activities, which could help speed up operations for Korean companies.
An industry official commented, “The quick return of essential personnel, just a month after the detention incident, demonstrates a rapid recovery. The resumption of the HL-GA project is expected to provide a significant boost to LG Energy Solution’s North American business.”
