Seoul, Washington Reach Deal to Repatriate 300 South Korean Workers Detained in U.S. Immigration Raid
South Korea and the United States have struck a deal to secure the release of approximately 300 South Korean nationals detained during a large-scale immigration raid at a Hyundai-LG electric vehicle battery plant under construction in Georgia.
The announcement came Sunday from the office of President Lee Jae-myung, marking the first public indication that both governments are working diplomatically to resolve the crisis that has strained ties between the close allies.
“There are some administrative procedures left, but once they are cleared, we will send a chartered plane to bring our people home,” said Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff to President Lee, during a high-level meeting with officials from the administration and ruling Democratic Party.
Kang did not specify when the chartered flight would depart, but confirmed that plans were already in motion. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is scheduled to leave for the U.S. on Monday for additional talks surrounding the workers’ release, according to local media reports.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation took place on Thursday at the battery plant site in Ellabell, Georgia, resulting in the detention of 475 individuals—about 300 of whom were South Korean nationals, according to South Korea’s foreign ministry.
The incident has rattled Seoul, which has invested heavily in U.S.-based infrastructure and manufacturing projects under bilateral economic agreements. The factory, a joint venture between Hyundai and LG, has been hailed by state officials as Georgia’s largest economic development project to date.
While U.S. officials said the raid targeted individuals allegedly working illegally or violating visa rules, the scale of the arrests—especially of foreign nationals sent by companies that were invited to invest in the U.S.—has triggered concern in South Korea’s business and political circles.
In a statement issued after the raid, South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “deep concern and regret,” adding that diplomats had been dispatched to the site to provide consular assistance and assess the situation.
President Lee stated that the rights of South Korean citizens and the operations of South Korean businesses “must not be unfairly infringed upon” during the enforcement of U.S. law.
Kang emphasized the need to protect South Korean nationals working abroad on official business. “We will not let our guard down until we have our people safely back home,” he said. “We will also review and improve the visa system for workers sent to the U.S. for investment-related projects to prevent similar incidents from recurring.”
Industry insiders familiar with the battery project said those detained include dozens of LG workers who had traveled under valid business visas or through the U.S. Visa Waiver Program to provide technical oversight and support. Others were subcontracted construction workers hired by Hyundai and LG to assist with plant development.
According to U.S. immigration authorities, the companies involved may face scrutiny for allegedly employing unauthorized workers and potentially discriminating against American labor.
Despite the disruption, Kang confirmed that South Korea remains committed to completing the battery plant project in Georgia. The site’s construction has been temporarily halted as investigations continue.
The raid is the latest flashpoint in a broader debate over U.S. immigration enforcement and visa policy—particularly under the Trump administration, which has both championed foreign investment and implemented aggressive restrictions on work-related immigration.
South Korean firms such as Hyundai, LG, and Samsung have been encouraged to pour billions into U.S.-based operations, but many have faced challenges navigating the tightened visa landscape.
As Seoul and Washington work to contain the diplomatic fallout, the case underscores the complexities of cross-border business partnerships in an era of strict immigration enforcement.
