South Korea, US Reach Deal on Release of Citizens Detained in Hyundai Plant Immigration Raid
South Korea’s government announced it has reached an agreement with the United States to secure the release of hundreds of its citizens detained during a large-scale immigration raid at a Hyundai electric vehicle battery plant in Georgia.
Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff to South Korea’s president, confirmed on Sunday that a chartered plane will be sent to bring the detained workers home once the necessary administrative steps are completed. He also emphasized that Seoul is working on reforms to its visa system to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The raid, carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), led to the detention of 475 workers—more than 300 of them South Korean nationals—accused of working illegally at the facility. The Hyundai-LG Energy Solution plant is considered one of the largest foreign investment projects in Georgia’s history.
U.S. President Donald Trump defended the operation, stating, “They were illegal aliens and ICE was just doing its job.” ICE officials released footage showing Asian workers in shackles, some wearing yellow vests with company names like Hyundai and LG CNS.
ICE explained that individuals on short-term or recreational visas are not legally permitted to work in the U.S., stressing that the operation was aimed at protecting American jobs. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent Steven Schrank added, “This operation sends a clear message that those who exploit the system and undermine our workforce will be held accountable.”
The timing of the raid has stirred concerns in Seoul, as it comes amid sensitive U.S.-South Korea trade negotiations. South Korea has pledged tens of billions of dollars in American manufacturing investments, partly to offset tariffs.
LG Energy Solution, Hyundai’s partner in the joint venture, reported that 47 of its employees and around 250 contractor staff were among those detained. The company said many of its workers were in the U.S. on valid business visas or through the visa waiver program. In response, LG has suspended most business trips to the U.S. and ordered employees currently on assignment there to return home.
South Korean media outlets described the raid as a “shock,” with the Dong-A Ilbo warning it could have “a chilling effect on the activities of our businesses in the United States.”
Georgia’s Republican governor had previously promoted the Hyundai-LG plant as the largest economic development project in the state’s history, set to employ more than 1,200 people and boost the state’s role in electric vehicle production.
For now, the detained workers remain at an ICE facility in Folkston, Georgia, as both governments work through the next steps.