South Korea's government has confirmed that it has reached an agreement with the United States for the release of its citizens detained during a major immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia.
The chief of staff to South Korea’s president announced plans for a chartered flight to bring the detainees home, pending the completion of administrative procedures.
Kang Hoon-sik emphasized the government's initiative to improve the visa system to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The sweeping raid saw US officials detaining 475 people, over 300 of whom were identified as South Korean nationals, accused of illegal work at one of the largest foreign investments in Georgia.
The White House defended the operation, asserting that it was necessary to uphold immigration laws and protect American jobs. President Donald Trump stated that the individuals were illegal aliens and that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency was fulfilling its duties.
Images released by ICE showed Asian workers shackled, some donning garments identifying them as Hyundai and LG CNS employees.
ICE noted that the detained individuals, including many on short-term or recreational visas, were not authorized to work in the U.S. In a statement, Homeland Security Investigations emphasized the need to hold accountable those who exploit the immigration system.
The raid also raises red flags for South Korea, which has pledged substantial investment in US manufacturing, aimed at offsetting tariffs imposed under the Trump administration.
As the two governments engage in sensitive trade discussions, the timing of this operation has incited fears in Seoul regarding its potential impact on foreign investment.
LG Energy Solution, which partners with Hyundai at the plant, reported that many of its arrested employees were on business engagements with various visa types or under a waiver program. Consequently, the company has halted most business trips to the U.S. and instructed employees on assignments there to return home immediately.
South Korean media labeled the raid a shock, with sources citing concerns that it could chill business operations in the US.
The facility, designed for the production of new electric vehicles, was touted by Georgia's governor as the most significant economic development project in state history, employing approximately 1,200 workers.
Those detained are currently held at an ICE facility in Folkston, Georgia, with LG Energy stating 47 of its employees and around 250 contractor workers from the joint-venture factory were apprehended.
