South Korea says it is preparing to fly home hundreds of its citizens detained last week in a major immigration sweep at a Hyundai-LG battery plant under construction in Georgia, United States.
Korean Air confirmed on Tuesday that it was arranging a chartered Boeing 747-8i to Atlanta, with plans to bring the workers back as early as Wednesday once clearance is given.
The move follows the detention of 475 people during the raid, which US authorities described as the largest carried out at a single site under President Donald Trump’s anti-immigration drive. Many of those held were South Korean nationals.
Foreign Minister Park Jin has already traveled to Washington, describing the incident as “a grave situation” and pledging to ensure the swift and safe return of the detainees.
Seoul later said it had reached an agreement with US officials for their release and repatriation, pending final administrative steps.
The raid targeted a $4.3 billion joint venture between Hyundai and LG Energy Solution to build a battery cell manufacturing facility.
While Hyundai maintained none of its staff were arrested, LG confirmed 47 of its employees — including 46 South Koreans — were among those taken.
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The company also said roughly 250 detained workers were employees of a contractor, most of them South Korean.
Analysts suggest many of the workers may have been on visas that did not permit hands-on construction work.
The detentions have sent ripples through South Korea, a close US security ally and a major investor in the American auto and electronics industries.
The raid comes despite Seoul’s compliance with Washington’s call for greater foreign investment during past trade negotiations.
President Trump, defending the crackdown, wrote on social media over the weekend: “Your investments are welcome, and we encourage you to LEGALLY bring your very smart people.”