South Korea Dispatches Foreign Minister Amid Urgent Bid to Repatriate 300 Workers from Georgia Hyundai Raid
South Korea Dispatches Foreign Minister Amid Urgent Bid to Repatriate 300 Workers from Georgia Hyundai Raid
SEOUL, South Korea – In a swift diplomatic response, South Korea announced Sunday, September 7, that it has secured the release of over 300 of its nationals detained following a massive immigration raid at a Hyundai electric vehicle plant in Georgia, with plans for their immediate repatriation. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is scheduled to depart for the U.S. on Monday afternoon, September 8, 2025, to finalize negotiations and discuss the voluntary return of the workers.
Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff for President Lee Jae Myung, confirmed that discussions with the U.S. have concluded regarding the workers’ release. South Korea intends to send a charter plane to bring the detainees home once administrative procedures are complete.
The development follows a significant U.S. immigration operation last Thursday, September 4, where federal agents detained 475 individuals, predominantly South Korean nationals, at Hyundai’s sprawling manufacturing site. The raid targeted a plant under construction, a joint venture with LG Energy Solution for EV battery production, which has been hailed as Georgia’s largest economic development project.
The incident has sparked “concern and regret” from Seoul, particularly given South Korea’s status as a key U.S. ally and its recent substantial investments in the U.S. economy. President Lee Jae Myung emphasized that the rights of South Korean nationals and companies must not be unfairly infringed upon by U.S. law enforcement.
U.S. President Donald Trump, commenting on the situation Sunday night, suggested an arrangement where South Korean workers could train U.S. citizens in specialized manufacturing roles. Meanwhile, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry indicated it would also push for a review and improvement of visa systems for business travelers involved in U.S. investment projects.
The detained workers, some of whom reportedly entered the U.S. illegally or overstayed their visas, were primarily taken to an immigration detention center in Folkston, Georgia. No charges have been filed against them, and investigations remain ongoing.
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