Detained Hyundai and LG plant workers expected to fly to South Korea
This image, which is provided by the US immigration and Customs Protection through DVIDS, shows the production facility employees waiting to be chained at the Hyundai Motor Group’s electric vehicle facility on 4 September 2025 Thursday.
Corey Bullard | US immigration and customs protection through AP
Hundreds of people detained by US immigrant officials while trying to build an electric vehicle battery facility for Hyundai LG Energy Solution He is expected to fly to South Korea on a plane rented from Atlanta early on Wednesday in Georgia.
Korean Air Boeing 747-8i, who left Seoul, landed in Atlanta on Wednesday to gather these workers.
US officials did not say whether any of the workers would be detained and return to South Korea.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with Foreign Minister Marco Rubio in Washington on Wednesday morning. DC Cho came to the United States at the beginning of this week and helped other citizens return to Korea.
South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman told journalists on Tuesday, the plan was to fly approximately 300 lg employees on Wednesday and a detailed plan will be announced when the preparations are finished.
However, at noon on Wednesday, there has been no announcement about flight plans.
However, the landing of a charter aircraft to Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport showed that the return process continues.
“Our citizens who have been detained by US immigration officials will soon return home,” South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said, “” He said.
On August 25, Lee held a friendly meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House. However, since then, on September 4, hundreds of Korean engineers and energy experts have been detained in the major raid.
“Hopefully, there will never be an unfair violation over the activities of our people and companies following the common development of South Korea and the United States.” He said.
“Our government will act quickly with close consultations with the United States to advance reasonable corporate improvements so that similar cases do not occur again,” Lee said. He said.
American officials said last Friday, 475 people were detained after a raid near Savannah on Thursday. More than 300 South Korean citizens were among those who were allegedly deprived of the documents necessary to work in the United States.
The majority of the detained people reportedly worked as a subcontractor.
The raid came to South Korea’s heels and promised to invest $ 500 billion in strategic US industries. This pledge contained Hyundai’s commitment of 26 billion dollars.
– NBC News’ Stella Who contributed to reporting
