South Korea to send a plane for the affected workers.
The United States and South Korea have reached a diplomatic agreement to facilitate the release and repatriation of South Korean nationals detained during a recent immigration enforcement operation at a Hyundai Motor Group facility in Georgia. The raid, conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), resulted in the arrest of hundreds of foreign workers, many of whom were subcontracted laborers involved in Hyundai’s electric vehicle battery production.
South Korea’s government confirmed plans to dispatch a chartered aircraft to repatriate its citizens once legal and administrative procedures are finalized. The detainees were reportedly employed through third-party contractors and not directly by Hyundai, which has denied any breach of labor regulations.
The incident has prompted concern in Seoul over the treatment of its nationals, with officials calling for transparency and humane handling of the case. South Korea’s Foreign Minister is expected to visit Washington to oversee the repatriation process and engage in further dialogue on labor protections and bilateral cooperation.
The Georgia facility, part of a $7.6 billion joint venture between Hyundai and LG Energy Solution, is one of the largest industrial investments in the region and a key component of U.S.–South Korea economic ties. The resolution of the case is seen as a step toward preserving diplomatic and commercial relations amid heightened scrutiny of immigration enforcement practices.
