South Korean Workers Return Home After US Immigration Raid at Hyundai Plant

Mon Oct 20 2025 23:42:00 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Over 300 South Korean workers detained during an immigration raid at a Hyundai facility in Georgia have returned home amidst growing tensions between the US and South Korea.

A chartered jet transported over 300 South Korean workers back to Korea following their detention in a US immigration raid. The raid has raised concerns about US-South Korea relations, with President Lee Jae Myung criticizing its impact on foreign investments. The US government maintains that the raid, part of immigration law enforcement, will not deter foreign companies.

More than 300 South Koreans who were detained in a massive immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in the US state of Georgia have arrived back home. Their return comes as the country's president and Hyundai's chief executive warn about the impact of the raid.

A chartered Korean Air jet carrying the workers and 14 non-Koreans who were also detained in the raid took off from Atlanta at midday local time on Thursday (17:00 BST). One South Korean national has reportedly chosen to stay in the US to seek permanent residency.

The incident has shaken ties between the US and South Korea, whose companies are investing billions in the States – investment President Donald Trump has pushed to secure.

The workers' departure was delayed by over a day due to an instruction from the White House, as South Korean President Lee Jae Myung stated. Trump ordered the pause to evaluate whether the workers were willing to stay in the US for work and training.

The returning workers appeared happy but fatigued as they arrived at Incheon International Airport, with one enthusiastically proclaiming, 'I'm back, I'm free.' A crowd of journalists and some protestors awaited them at the airport, highlighting the public outrage over their treatment.

During the raid, US officials detained approximately 475 people, over 300 of whom were South Korean nationals, accused of working illegally at Hyundai's battery facility. The operation was met with widespread condemnation in South Korea, where media described the event as a shock.

LG Energy Solution, which operates the plant alongside Hyundai, indicated that many arrested workers had valid visas or were part of a visa waiver program. This conflict has raised serious questions about future investments, with President Lee asserting it could make companies reconsider entering the US market.

The returning workers have requested privacy, and South Korea's foreign ministry has advised media outlets to protect their identities. Discussions around the need for new visa measures for Korean firms are ongoing as the situation develops.