South Korea’s foreign minister will travel to the United States on Monday in an urgent diplomatic mission to secure the return of hundreds of South Korean nationals detained in Georgia last week.
A total of 475 individuals—more than 300 of them South Korean—were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials at a car battery plant under construction. The facility, jointly developed by South Korean giants Hyundai and LG, is one of the largest foreign investment projects in Georgia.
The operation comes amid a renewed immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump, who has pledged stricter enforcement on unauthorized labor. However, the raid has sparked diplomatic tensions with South Korea, a key U.S. ally and investor.
In a statement, the South Korean government expressed “concern and regret” over the arrests, urging U.S. authorities to respect the rights of its citizens. Seoul has been working intensively over the weekend to arrange the release and safe return of the workers, and a deal has reportedly been reached to fly them home on a chartered plane. Final details, including timing, are still being negotiated.
The arrests came just two weeks after Seoul committed to a multibillion-dollar investment in U.S.-based battery manufacturing. The incident has raised broader concerns about whether foreign companies can meet U.S. manufacturing demands—especially in high-tech industries—if they face restrictions on bringing in skilled workers.
The White House defended the ICE operation, downplaying fears it could deter foreign investment. On Truth Social, President Trump said the U.S. would continue welcoming foreign firms and their “great technical talent,” but emphasized the importance of also “hiring and training American workers.”
Before departing for Washington, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun briefed the South Korean National Assembly’s foreign affairs committee, acknowledging the challenges of securing U.S. work visas. He said the goal was to facilitate a voluntary return for the detained individuals rather than have them deported.
The workers are currently being held at an ICE detention facility in Folkston, Georgia. Video footage released by ICE showed several detainees—many in yellow safety vests labeled with “Hyundai” and “LG CNS”—being escorted in shackles.
ICE stated the raid targeted individuals working illegally under tourist or short-term business visas, stressing the need to protect American jobs.
LG Energy Solution, which co-operates the facility with Hyundai, reported that 47 of its employees and approximately 250 contractor workers were among those detained. The company said many were on legitimate business travel visas or part of the visa waiver program.
In response, LG has suspended most U.S. business travel and ordered employees currently assigned to the U.S. to return home immediately.
South Korean media outlets have reacted strongly to the raid, with many calling it a “shock.” The Dong-A Ilbo warned that the incident could have “a chilling effect” on South Korean companies operating or planning to invest in the U.S.
The plant, which manufactures electric vehicle components, was previously hailed by Georgia’s Republican Governor as the state’s largest economic development project, with over 1,200 jobs expected to be created.
