South Korea Charters Plane for 300+ Detained Workers

South Korea is chartering a Korean Air Boeing 747-8i to return over 300 of its nationals detained by ICE during a massive immigration raid at a Hyundai-LG EV battery plant in Georgia. The raid, conducted on September 4 at the Ellabell facility, resulted in the detention of 475 workers—primarily South Koreans—and marked the largest single-site enforcement action by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

At an emergency meeting in Seoul, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun described the incident as a “grave situation” and announced his plans to travel to Washington to secure both the workers’ release and re-entry assurances. President Lee Jae Myung echoed this concern, calling for immediate efforts to resolve the matter and protect the rights of South Korean nationals and companies operating in the U.S.
South Korean officials have negotiated for the workers’ departure on a “voluntary” basis, avoiding formal deportation that could trigger re-entry bans. The chartered flight is expected to depart as administrative clearances are finalized.

The saga highlights broader visa policy challenges. Seoul is pressing for a dedicated visa category for technical professionals to prevent similar incidents and ensure foreign investment isn’t disrupted by immigration enforcement uncertainties.

With high stakes for bilateral ties, Cho Hyun’s discussions in Washington aim to balance enforcement with diplomatic trust, safeguarding the future of South Korean participation in U.S. infrastructure projects.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com