South Korea’s government says it has secured an agreement with Washington for the release of its citizens detained during a large-scale US immigration raid at Hyundai’s battery plant in Georgia.
More than 300 South Koreans were among 475 workers taken into custody last week after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials claimed they were illegally employed at the facility, one of the state’s largest foreign investment projects.
Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik confirmed that Seoul would dispatch a chartered plane to repatriate its nationals once the necessary administrative steps were finalized. He added that the government was working to improve its visa system to avoid a repeat of such incidents.
The arrests have shaken Seoul and sparked diplomatic concern, with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun expected to travel to Washington on Monday. South Korean media described the operation as a “shock,” with the Dong-A Ilbo newspaper warning it could have “a chilling effect” on business activity in the US.
Workers at the plant told the BBC the raid caused panic and confusion, saying most of those detained were mechanics contracted to install production lines, while a smaller number were technical staff sent from Seoul for training.
The White House has defended the operation, rejecting claims it could scare off foreign investors. President Donald Trump instead doubled down on social media, urging foreign firms to respect US immigration laws. “Hire and train American workers,” he declared, while assuring that skilled foreign talent could still enter legally if companies followed the rules.
ICE footage released after the raid showed Asian workers in shackles, some wearing safety vests labeled “Hyundai” and “LG CNS.” Homeland Security officials insisted the crackdown was necessary to protect US jobs. “This operation sends a clear message that those who exploit the system will be held accountable,” said Special Agent Steven Schrank.
LG Energy Solution, Hyundai’s joint venture partner at the site, confirmed that 47 of its employees were detained, along with about 250 contractors. The company has since suspended most business trips to the US and ordered staff already in the country to return home.
Analysts say the timing of the raid is sensitive, as Seoul has pledged tens of billions in US manufacturing investments while also navigating trade negotiations. The Georgia facility had been touted by state officials as the largest economic development project in its history, set to employ more than 1,200 people in electric vehicle production.
For now, the detained workers remain at an ICE holding center in Folkston, Georgia, as Seoul works urgently to secure their release.
