South Korea Confirms Korean Workers Freed From Georgia Facility

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry announced on September 11, 2025, that U.S. authorities have released 330 workers, predominantly South Koreans, who were detained during a massive immigration raid at a Hyundai battery factory under construction in Georgia on September 4. The workers, now free, are being transported by bus to Atlanta to board a charter flight scheduled to arrive in South Korea on Friday afternoon, bringing relief to their families and the nation.

The raid, targeting a key Hyundai-LG Energy Solution facility near Savannah, saw 475 individuals detained, with over 300 being South Korean nationals suspected of visa violations. The operation, part of the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation agenda, sparked outrage in South Korea, especially given Seoul’s recent pledges of $350 billion in U.S. investments and $100 billion in energy purchases to secure favorable trade terms. The detentions, coupled with images of workers shackled and bused away, strained the vital U.S.-South Korea alliance, prompting swift action from Seoul.

South Korea’s Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik revealed that negotiations with U.S. officials, finalized on September 7, secured the workers’ release on a voluntary return basis. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, who traveled to the U.S. on September 8, played a key role in expediting the process. “This resolution reflects our commitment to protecting our citizens abroad,” Kang stated, emphasizing plans to send a charter plane to bring the workers home once administrative steps were completed.

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The incident, one of the largest workplace raids in recent U.S. history, targeted a facility hailed as Georgia’s biggest economic development project. The detentions shocked South Korea, a key U.S. ally, and raised concerns about the treatment of its workers abroad. President Lee Jae Myung, marking his 100th day in office, criticized the U.S. visa system, warning that such actions could deter South Korean companies from future investments.

As the workers prepare to return, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry continues to engage with affected families, ensuring support and coordination. The episode has highlighted tensions in U.S.-South Korea relations, with Seoul urging improvements in visa policies to prevent similar incidents. For now, the focus remains on safely repatriating the workers, whose ordeal has underscored the complexities of global labor mobility and diplomatic ties in an era of heightened immigration enforcement.

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