A major diplomatic development unfolded on Sunday as the South Korean government confirmed that more than 300 of its citizens, who had been detained during a sweeping immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia, would soon be released and repatriated. The announcement came after Seoul and Washington concluded negotiations aimed at securing the safe return of the workers.
Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik explained that the two governments had finalised talks on the matter and that South Korea was now preparing to dispatch a chartered flight to bring its nationals home. He clarified, however, that their return would take place once all the remaining administrative and legal procedures in the United States were completed.
The raid itself, which took place at the Hyundai facility, has stirred widespread controversy. US immigration officials, supported by helicopters and armoured vehicles, arrested nearly 475 workers, including more than 300 South Koreans. Lawmakers from Georgia, as well as members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, voiced sharp criticism of the operation, saying they were “deeply alarmed” by both its scale and its implications. They accused the Trump administration of targeting immigrant communities rather than focusing resources on apprehending violent criminals, arguing that the raid served primarily to meet “mass deportation quotas.”
President Donald Trump, however, stood firmly by the raid, referring to the detainees as “illegal aliens” and stressing that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was simply carrying out its lawful responsibilities. His defence has added fuel to the growing diplomatic unease, as Seoul perceives the treatment of its citizens as “unfair” and disproportionate.
In Seoul, President Lee Jae Myung directed his administration to respond swiftly, ensuring that the rights and safety of South Koreans abroad are protected. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is reportedly considering a trip to Washington to engage in further high-level discussions with US counterparts. Meanwhile, South Korean corporations, including LG Energy Solution, have begun extending support to affected workers, with company representatives dispatched to Georgia to assist in navigating the complex legal and bureaucratic hurdles.
For South Korea, the episode underscores both the vulnerability of its overseas workers and the necessity of proactive diplomatic intervention. For the United States, it raises questions about the balance between enforcing immigration laws and maintaining healthy bilateral relations with key allies. With the chartered flight being readied, families in South Korea now await the return of their loved ones, even as the broader debate over immigration enforcement continues to generate political and diplomatic ripples.
