More than 300 South Korean workers detained in a massive US immigration raid at Hyundai’s Georgia car plant have safely returned home, raising concerns over foreign investment and diplomatic ties. A chartered Korean Air jet carrying the workers and 14 other detainees departed Atlanta on Thursday and arrived at Incheon International Airport under tight security. One South Korean national reportedly chose to stay in the US to pursue permanent residency.
The raid, which detained 475 people—including the majority of workers from South Korea—sparked outrage in Seoul. Workers were handcuffed and shackled as they were removed from Hyundai’s battery facility, a major foreign investment project in Georgia. Many of the workers had visas or were under visa waiver programs, according to LG Energy Solution, which co-operates the plant with Hyundai.
South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung expressed dismay, stating the raid could deter Korean firms from investing in the US. “The situation is extremely bewildering,” he said, highlighting that it is common practice for Korean companies to send workers overseas to set up manufacturing operations. President Lee emphasized that new visa legislation is needed to allow Korean firms to continue such investments without risk.
Hyundai’s CEO José Muñoz warned that the plant’s opening will be delayed by at least two months as the company seeks new workers to replace those detained. “This will create a minimum two to three months delay because now all these people want to get back,” he told US media. The detained employees, many of whom were mechanics installing production lines, requested privacy upon their return. The South Korean foreign ministry advised media outlets to blur photographs and videos to protect the workers’ identities.
The raid has triggered protests in South Korea, with banners at Incheon Airport criticizing the US government and highlighting concerns over future investments. Local media have called the incident a “shock” that could have a chilling effect on Korean businesses operating in the US.
The White House defended the operation, noting that foreign firms could bring in workers legally if they complied with US immigration laws. President Donald Trump emphasized on social media the need for foreign companies to prioritize hiring American workers while asserting that legal pathways exist for international staff.
South Korea’s foreign ministry has actively engaged with US lawmakers, urging support for a new visa that will allow Korean companies to safely send personnel for overseas factory operations. With tens of billions of dollars pledged by South Korean companies in US investments, the incident has raised alarm about the potential long-term impact on economic collaboration between the two countries.
