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This incident has put immense pressure on the U.S.-South Korea alliance. South Korea quickly announced that it would investigate whether U.S. authorities violated human rights during the raid—a rare move that underscores the incident's severity. The timing is especially sensitive because just weeks earlier, South Korea had committed to investing over $350 billion in the U.S., part of an effort to bolster trade and industrial cooperation.
The swift and public Korean response has created a diplomatic headache for the Biden administration, revealing cracks in the traditionally strong alliance. The Korean government is scrutinizing the conduct of U.S. immigration authorities and may pursue diplomatic complaints, including demands for apologies or reparations if abuses are confirmed.