South Korea, US agree to launch dedicated visa desk in Seoul

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 came 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).

This clarification comes after a sweeping raid by U.S. immigration authorities, which detained more than 300 South Koreans working at a joint electric vehicle battery plant under construction in Georgia, who held either ESTA or B-1/B-2 visas.

The U.S. also pledged to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.