South Korea’s government announced on Sunday that 300 of its nationals, who were detained during a large‑scale immigration raid in the United States, will be released and repatriated. The raid took place at a Hyundai manufacturing site in Georgia and resulted in the detention of 475 people, most of whom were South Korean workers.
Kang Hoon‑sik, chief of staff for President Lee Jae‑Myung, said negotiations for the workers’ release have been successful and only administrative procedures remain. Once these are completed, a chartered flight will depart to bring the citizens home. The government has vowed to remain vigilant and ensure the safe return of all its citizens. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is scheduled to travel to the United States for talks related to the workers’ release, according to South Korean media.
The raid targeted a plant under construction—a joint project between Hyundai and LG Energy Solution that aims to produce batteries for electric vehicles and has been hailed as Georgia’s largest economic development project. The operation is part of U.S. immigration authorities’ broader effort to crack down on illegal immigration, a priority of the Trump administration.
The swift response from the South Korean government, involving various ministries, economic organizations, and companies, helped facilitate the release of the detained workers. The incident highlights the complexities of international labor laws and the challenges faced by migrant workers. As repatriation proceeds, attention will turn to preventing similar incidents in the future and protecting the rights of migrant workers.
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