South Korea to Enhance Visa System and Seek New Visa Category for Korean Workers

South Korean National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac has announced that the government will consult with the United States to improve the visa system and create a new visa category for Korean workers, following a recent incident where 300 South Korean workers were detained by U.S. immigration authorities in Georgia. The move aims to reduce uncertainties facing Korean companies operating in the U.S. and comes as public anger and concerns about investing in the U.S. have grown. Wi stressed that the issue requires urgent attention and a phased approach, with both short-term fixes, such as streamlining visa procedures, and long-term measures being considered.

Key Takeaways:

• South Korea will consult with the United States to enhance the visa system and create a new visa category for Korean workers to reduce uncertainties facing Korean companies operating in the U.S.
• The issue requires urgent attention and a phased approach, with both short-term fixes, such as streamlining visa procedures, and long-term measures being considered.
• Seoul is considering creating a new visa quota or category for Koreans, while making diplomatic efforts to create a visa quota for Koreans or establishing a new visa category through amendments to U.S. domestic law.
• Seoul and Washington agreed to seek clear U.S. guidelines on business visas, B1 visas, and ESTA to ensure consistent enforcement by U.S. law enforcement agencies.
• Official positions exchanged at the negotiating table matter more than public comments, National Security Adviser Wi said, in response to recent remarks by U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
• Seoul and Washington have made meaningful progress in consultations on revising the bilateral nuclear pact to ease restrictions on Seoul's enrichment and reprocessing capabilities.
• South Korea currently has limited nuclear capabilities, with restrictions on enriching uranium below 20 percent requiring U.S. consent and being prohibited from reprocessing spent nuclear fuel.
• Japan has similar qualifications, with the ability to reprocess spent fuel and produce low-enriched uranium under 20 percent without U.S. approval.

Statistics:

• 300 South Korean workers were detained by U.S. immigration authorities in Georgia.
• South Korean companies operating in the U.S. face uncertainties due to the current visa system.
• The U.S. had planned to impose 25 percent tariffs on South Korea, which were lowered to 15 percent in exchange for a $350 billion investment package and other commitments in July.
• South Korea currently enriches uranium below 20 percent only with U.S. consent and is prohibited from reprocessing spent nuclear fuel.

Sources:

• Yonhap News Agency, September 12, 2025.