South Korea to Repatriate Workers Detained in Hyundai Raid

South Korean officials announced that workers detained during a significant immigration raid at a Hyundai factory in Georgia will be repatriated. The decision follows negotiations with the United States, which resulted in an agreement to secure the release of the individuals involved. Over 300 South Korean nationals were apprehended during what has been described as the largest worksite enforcement operation in the history of US President Donald Trump’s administration.

The South Korean presidential office confirmed that discussions with Washington have concluded and preparations are underway for a charter flight to bring the workers home. While the exact date of repatriation has not been disclosed, officials indicated that the process would occur after completing necessary administrative procedures.

The raid took place on March 1, 2024, at a Hyundai factory in Bryan County, Georgia, where federal agents arrested a total of 475 workers. The operation was part of an ongoing investigation involving multiple federal agencies and has raised concerns about the implications for diplomatic relations between South Korea and the United States.

In a statement, the White House has yet to provide a response regarding the operation. The raid occurred against the backdrop of ongoing discussions about trade tariffs and investment between the two nations. In July 2023, President Trump announced a deal to reduce tariffs on South Korean imports from 25% to 15% while noting a commitment from South Korea to invest approximately US$350 billion in the United States.

The Hyundai factory, which is a joint venture with LG Energy Solution, has been touted by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp as “the largest project in state history.” Despite the positive outlook on the investment, the raid has shocked many in South Korea, particularly as Hyundai has recently pledged to invest US$26 billion in the US.

Reports indicate that 47 of the detained workers were directly employed by LG Energy Solution, consisting of 46 South Korean nationals and one Indonesian national, while the remaining individuals were from subcontractors. Video footage released by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency captured scenes of workers being lined up, searched, and handcuffed outside the factory.

According to Steven Schrank, a special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama, some of the detained workers had entered the country illegally, while others were working in violation of their visas or had overstayed their permits. No criminal charges have been filed to date.

Sarah Owings, an immigration attorney representing around 30 of the detained South Koreans, expressed concern over the implications of the raid. She noted that many of her clients had only recently arrived in the US and were adhering to the terms of their visas, which allowed limited work at the Hyundai plant. Owings remarked, “This is going to be very alarming to the business community if people can be arrested and prosecuted on immigration proceedings on this basis.”

In response to the situation, South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun conveyed deep concern over the arrests, highlighting the government’s sense of responsibility for its nationals. During a government meeting, Kang Hoon Sik, the presidential chief of staff, committed to reviewing and improving the visa system for workers traveling to the US, aiming to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Tom Homan, a border official, stated in a CNN interview that he anticipates more worksite enforcement operations will follow the Hyundai raid. He emphasized that employers often hire undocumented workers to reduce labor costs, thus impacting wages for US citizens.

As the situation develops, the impact of these events on South Korea-US relations and the broader implications for the business community remain to be seen.