300 South Koreans to Be Released After ICE Raid at Hyundai Georgia Plant, Says Seoul
South Korea confirms agreement with U.S. to release over 300 detained nationals from a Hyundai-LG battery plant raid in Georgia. A charter flight is scheduled once administrative procedures complete. Seoul vows visa reform and diplomatic action.
300 South Koreans to Be Released After ICE Raid at Hyundai Plant in US, Seoul Confirms
SEOUL, September 7, 2025 – In a dramatic turn of events, South Korea has confirmed that more than 300 of its citizens, detained in a sweeping U.S. immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia, will soon be released and flown back home. Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik announced that negotiations with the U.S. have been finalized and that only administrative steps remain before a chartered flight departs for Korea (The Guardian, AP News).
The Raid That Sparked Diplomatic Alarm
On September 4, 2025, hundreds of federal agents executed what has been described as the largest single-site immigration enforcement operation in recent U.S. history. The target: a joint Hyundai–LG Energy Solution electric-vehicle battery facility in Ellabell, Georgia—still under construction at the time (The Times of India, AP News). The operation resulted in the detention of approximately 475 individuals, the majority being South Korean nationals (AP News, Al Jazeera).
Footage released by ICE showed detained workers being handcuffed and shackled at the wrists, ankles, and waist before being loaded onto transport buses—images that ignited concern and controversy (Reuters, Al Jazeera).
Seoul’s Response and Diplomatic Leverage
South Korea’s government responded swiftly. Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo described the release of the arrest footage as “regrettable,” especially given its timing just after a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and President Lee Jae-Myung (Reuters).
At a press briefing, Kang Hoon-sik stated:
“As a result of the swift and united response ... negotiations for the release of the detained workers have been concluded. Only administrative procedures remain.” (The Guardian)
Additionally, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is heading to Washington for high-level discussions aimed at securing smooth repatriation and protecting Korean workers abroad (AP News).
Implications for Business, Visa Policy, and Bilateral Ties
The raid has cast a long shadow over rapidly deepening U.S.–South Korea economic ties. Just last July, the two countries struck a deal involving South Korea’s purchase of $100 billion in U.S. energy, a $350 billion investment commitment, and tariff reductions on Korean imports (AP News, The Washington Post).
President Lee emphasized the importance of safeguarding not only the rights of South Korean nationals, but also the economic operations of Korean companies within U.S. jurisdiction (AP News, Reuters).
Looking ahead, Kang confirmed that Seoul would review and enhance visa procedures to prevent future incidents involving business-related entries (AP News, The Guardian).
Tags:
South Korea, Hyundai, ICE raid, Immigration, Georgia, LG Energy Solution, Diplomacy, Visa policy, US-South Korea relations
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