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Key Points

South Korea has successfully concluded negotiations for the release of its citizens detained in a massive US immigration raid. Presidential chief Kang Hoon-sik confirmed a chartered plane is ready to bring the workers home once administrative procedures are complete. The raid targeted a battery plant construction site operated by Hyundai and LG in Georgia, detaining over 300 South Koreans. Seoul has expressed regret over the crackdown and is pushing for visa system improvements to prevent future incidents.

Key Points: South Korea Secures Release of Workers Detained in US Georgia Raid

  • Over 300 South Koreans detained in largest single-site US immigration raid
  • Operation targeted Hyundai and LG Energy Solution battery plant
  • US officials say workers were on illegal visas
  • South Korea vows visa system improvements to prevent repeats
2 min read

South Korea says talks on release of workers detained in US raid concluded

Seoul announces conclusion of talks for detained South Korean workers after major US immigration raid on Hyundai-LG plant. Chartered flight awaits final procedures.

"Once the procedures are complete, the chartered plane will depart to bring our citizens - Kang Hoon-sik"

Seoul, September 7

A senior official at South Korea's presidential office said on Sunday that negotiations for the release of South Korean workers detained by a recent US immigration raid in Georgia have concluded, adding that a chartered plane would head for the US if administration procedures are completed, Yonhap reported.

Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik made the announcement after hundreds of South Koreans were taken into custody during the raid Thursday on a battery plant construction site operated by South Korean companies in Bryan County.

"There are still administrative procedures left," Kang said during a senior-level meeting between the ruling Democratic Party and the government. "Once the procedures are complete, the chartered plane will depart to bring our citizens," as per Yonhap.

Kang also vowed to push for improvements to the visa system for South Korean nationals traveling to the US for work to prevent similar incidents.

More than 300 South Korean nationals out of 457 people have been taken into custody during the raid on the site operated by Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement said those arrested were found to be working illegally in the US, including those on short-term or recreational visas that prohibit them from working.

US officials cast the raid as "the largest single-site enforcement operation in the history of Homeland Security Investigations".

First Vice Minister Park Yoon-joo held a phone call with Allison Hooker, US undersecretary of state for political affairs, to discuss bilateral and international issues.

Park requested the State Department's cooperation regarding the matter and expressed regret over the crackdown and the public disclosure of the scene where South Korean nationals were being arrested, as per Global Times.

Park also reiterated that the economic activities of South Korean companies investing in the US and the rights and interests of South Korean nationals should not be unfairly infringed upon during US law enforcement processes and emphasised that the State Department should also actively step in for a fair and swift resolution of the matter, Global Times reported.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
While I sympathize with the workers, countries have every right to enforce their immigration laws. Working on tourist visas is illegal for a reason - it protects local workers and maintains fair labor standards.
P
Priya S
Big companies like Hyundai and LG should know better than to employ workers without proper work permits. They have the resources to follow proper procedures. This is corporate negligence! 😠
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Arjun K
Good to see the South Korean government stepping up for their citizens. This is how diplomatic relations should work - protecting your people while respecting host country laws.
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Meera T
The public disclosure of arrest scenes was unnecessary and humiliating. Law enforcement should maintain dignity even during enforcement actions. Hope both countries learn from this incident.
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David E
"Largest single-site enforcement operation" - sounds like they were making an example out of them. While illegal work shouldn't be tolerated, the scale of this raid seems excessive for what essentially are workers trying to earn a living.

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