More than 300 South Korean workers detained in a major immigration raid at a Hyundai-LG battery plant in Georgia will be released and sent home, South Korea announced Sunday, following high-level talks with the United States.
Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, confirmed that the two governments have finalized an agreement for the workers' return.
A chartered flight will be arranged once remaining administrative steps are completed. "We are doing everything we can to ensure our citizens are treated fairly," Kang said, adding that South Korea is also reviewing its visa policies to prevent future incidents.
The raid, carried out by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), took place last Thursday at the Hyundai-LG Metaplant site in Ellabell, Georgia—touted as the state's largest-ever economic development project, AP News reported.
Federal agents detained 475 people, most of them South Koreans, accusing them of working without proper documentation. The facility is still under construction and is intended to produce batteries for electric vehicles.
According to South Korea's Foreign Ministry, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is traveling to the U.S. this week for further discussions.
"We are working closely with American officials to make sure all workers are released and returned safely," the ministry said.
'We may need foreign experts!' – Trump responds to South Korea’s 'regrets' after US authorities raided Hyundai plant, suggests bringing specialists to train Americans in battery, tech industries.
— Viory Video (@vioryvideo) September 8, 2025
During the US immigration raid at the Hyundai–LG car and battery plant in Georgia… pic.twitter.com/nB1Om2qORM
South Korea Alarmed by US Raid Amid $350B Investment Deal
Video footage from ICE showed agents arriving in dozens of vehicles, ordering workers to line up, and shackling some with handcuffs and ankle restraints.
The detainees were transported to a facility in Folkston, Georgia. US officials stated that none have been charged with crimes so far.
According to the BBC, President Donald Trump defended the raid, writing on social media: "Foreign companies must respect our immigration laws."
He added that the US is open to foreign workers coming temporarily to train Americans, but companies must prioritize hiring US citizens. "Let them come, train our people, and go," he said at Andrews Air Force Base on Sunday.
South Korea, a key US ally, has recently pledged over $350 billion in American investments. The timing of the raid—just weeks after a high-profile meeting between Trump and Lee—has raised concerns in Seoul about the impact on trade and diplomatic ties.
LG Energy Solution, which operates the plant with Hyundai, said 47 of its employees and hundreds of contractors were detained.
The company has since suspended most US business travel and recalled staff already in the country.
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