SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The South Korean government has announced that more than 300 workers detained in a massive immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia will be released and eventually brought back home. This announcement came from Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff for President Lee Jae Myung, who confirmed that negotiations between South Korea and the U.S. regarding the workers' release have been finalized.
A charter plane is being arranged for their return, pending the completion of remaining administrative procedures. Reports indicate that South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will be traveling to the U.S. on Monday to discuss the specifics of the workers' release.
The raid, which occurred on a Thursday, targeted Hyundai's manufacturing facility where electric vehicles are produced in partnership with LG Energy Solution. U.S. immigration authorities reported that a total of 475 people were detained, the majority of whom were South Korean nationals.
The operation, part of the Trump administration's wider immigration enforcement strategy, has surprised many in South Korea given the close diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations. In July, South Korea committed to significant investments in the U.S., a gesture that was expected to bolster relations.
President Lee expressed concerns surrounding the rights of South Korean nationals and emphasized that U.S. law enforcement actions should not adversely affect economic activities conducted by South Korean firms. In a statement, South Korea's Foreign Ministry voiced its concerns and regrets over the situation and dispatched diplomats to the site of the raid.
The detainees were primarily held at an immigration detention center in Folkston, Georgia, and as of now, no criminal charges have been made against them, though investigations continue. Some workers were reportedly found to have entered the U.S. illegally, while others had overstayed their visas or entered on waivers prohibiting employment.
To prevent future incidents, the South Korean government plans to review and enhance the visa systems for its nationals traveling to the U.S. for business and investment purposes.
