South Korea Makes Deal With US to Release Detained Georgia Plant Workers

U.S. federal authorities detained about 300 South Koreans in an immigration enforcement operation on Sept. 4.

Manufacturing plant employees wait to have their legs shackled at the Hyundai Motor Group’s electric vehicle plant in Ellabell, Ga., on Sept. 4, 2025, in a still from video. Corey Bullard/U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement via AP

The South Korean government on Sept. 7 stated that the more than 300 South Korean workers who were detained during a federal immigration operation at a Georgia Hyundai plant will be released and sent home.

The South Korean and U.S. governments finalized negotiations on releasing the workers, according to Kang Hoon-sik, South Korean presidential chief of staff. South Korea will send a charter plane to bring the workers back once the remaining administrative steps are concluded, he said.