South Korea Strikes Deal to Repatriate Citizens Detained in US Hyundai Raid
South Korea says it has reached an agreement with the United States to secure the release of its nationals detained in a sweeping immigration raid at a Hyundai battery plant in Georgia.
More than 475 people were arrested, including over 300 South Korean citizens, after US officials said they were found working illegally at the facility—one of the largest foreign investment projects in the state.
South Korea’s presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik said a chartered plane would bring the workers home once administrative steps were completed. He added that Seoul is reviewing its visa system to prevent similar cases.
Diplomatic Fallout
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is expected to travel to Washington on Monday as the issue escalates. The timing is sensitive, with the two governments in the middle of key trade talks.
The White House defended the raid, with President Donald Trump insisting foreign companies must respect US immigration law.
“I am calling on all Foreign Companies investing in the United States to respect our Nation’s Immigration Laws,” Trump wrote on social media. He added that while the US would allow firms to bring in technical expertise legally, they must also “hire and train American Workers.”
Chaos on the Ground
A worker at the plant told the BBC the raid caused panic and confusion. Most of those detained, he said, were mechanics installing production lines, employed by contractors. A smaller group, reportedly from Hyundai’s Seoul headquarters, were in the US for training.
ICE footage showed Asian workers shackled and wearing yellow vests labeled with names such as “Hyundai” and “LG CNS.” Officials said the operation targeted those on visitor or recreational visas, which do not permit employment.
“This operation sends a clear message that those who exploit the system and undermine our workforce will be held accountable,” said Steven Schrank, a Homeland Security Investigations special agent.
Business and Political Shockwaves
The raid has rattled LG Energy Solution, Hyundai’s joint venture partner at the site. LG confirmed that 47 of its employees and about 250 contractor staff were detained, and said it was suspending most US business trips.
South Korean media called the raid a “shock,” with the newspaper Dong-A Ilbo warning it could have “a chilling effect” on Korean firms operating in the US.
The plant, touted by Georgia’s Republican governor as the largest economic development project in state history, employs about 1,200 people and is central to US efforts to expand electric vehicle production.
For now, the detained workers remain at an ICE facility in Folkston, Georgia
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