The South Korean government announced it has reached an agreement with the United States to release over 300 detained workers from Hyundai Motor Group’s electric vehicle plant in Georgia. The deal comes after U.S. immigration authorities conducted one of the largest workplace raids in recent years.
Agreement Between Seoul and Washington
Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik confirmed that South Korea and the U.S. finalized negotiations. He added that Seoul will send a chartered plane to repatriate its citizens as soon as they complete the remaining administrative steps.
Details of the Georgia Raid
On Thursday, September 4, 2025, federal agents detained 475 workers, the majority of whom were South Korean nationals, during an immigration sweep at Hyundai’s Ellabell, Georgia plant. According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said the raid targeted workers at Hyundai’s EV manufacturing site, which state officials consider Georgia’s largest economic development project.
ICE Operation Footage
Video released by ICE showed armed agents directing employees to line up outside.
Many were searched, handcuffed, and shackled before being transported to a detention center in Folkston, Georgia, near the Florida border. Authorities confirmed that none of the detainees has been formally charged, and investigations are still ongoing.
Diplomatic Response From Seoul
South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said that more than 300 of those detained were South Koreans. In response, Seoul expressed “concern and regret” over the raid and dispatched diplomats to monitor conditions at the site. The factory, still under construction, is a joint venture between Hyundai and LG Energy Solution aimed at producing batteries for electric vehicles.
Political and Economic Implications
The raid has added tension between the two allies at a time when Hyundai’s investment is being hailed as a milestone in Georgia’s economic growth. Analysts say the incident underscores the ongoing conflict between U.S. immigration enforcement policies and international labor practices.
Source: NPR.org
