Negotiations Finalized for the Release of 300 South Korean Workers Detained in Georgia

SEOUL, South Korea — The South Korean government has announced that over 300 workers detained following a large immigration raid at Hyundai’s Georgia manufacturing plant will soon be released and repatriated. This decision comes after successful negotiations between South Korea and the United States regarding the workers’ release.

Kang Hoon-sik, the chief of staff for President Lee Jae-myung, reported on Sunday that plans are underway to arrange a charter flight to bring the detained workers back home once the necessary administrative steps are finalized. The situation escalated when U.S. immigration authorities detained 475 individuals during a raid at Hyundai's plant, which is involved in the production of electric vehicles.

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is expected to travel to the U.S. this week to discuss the specifics regarding the conditions of the workers' releases, as reported by South Korean media. The ongoing investigation by U.S. officials has sparked serious concerns over the rights of South Korean nationals, especially considering South Korea's status as a key ally of the United States.

Many observers in South Korea were taken aback by the scale of the operation, which has raised significant issues around the treatment of foreign workers in America. President Lee expressed his commitment to ensuring that the rights of South Korean nationals and the economic interests of South Korean businesses are upheld during U.S. law enforcement actions.

In light of the recent events, South Korean officials are advocating for improvements in the visa systems governing business travel to the United States, particularly for workers involved in investment projects. Most of the detained individuals were taken to an immigration center in Folkston, Georgia, with varying legal statuses, some reportedly having entered illegally while others had expired visas.

This episode not only highlights the complexities of immigration enforcement but also the delicate balance of diplomatic relations between South Korea and the United States.