SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A South Korean charter plane departed for the United States on Wednesday, tasked with bringing back 475 workers, including over 300 South Koreans, who were detained in a sweeping immigration raid at a battery factory construction site near Hyundai’s auto plant in Georgia. Video footage released by U.S. authorities depicted some workers shackled with chains around their hands, ankles, and waists.
The South Korean government approved the flight after securing an agreement with the U.S. for the workers' release. As reported by South Korean media, the charter plane took off from Incheon International Airport on Wednesday morning and is expected to return home with the detained individuals on Thursday afternoon.
This raid, executed by the U.S. Homeland Security agency, marked its largest operation yet as part of an ongoing initiative to enforce a stringent deportation strategy, particularly in Georgia, a state that hosts numerous South Korean enterprises and is a focal point for future investments. Just weeks prior, South Korea had pledged substantial investments in the U.S. in hopes of facilitating a favorable tariff deal. This was discussed during the inaugural summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on August 25.
President Trump recently remarked that the workers involved were in the U.S. illegally, emphasizing the need for collaboration with other nations to ensure that American citizens are trained for specialized jobs such as those in battery and computer manufacturing.
The South Korean government approved the flight after securing an agreement with the U.S. for the workers' release. As reported by South Korean media, the charter plane took off from Incheon International Airport on Wednesday morning and is expected to return home with the detained individuals on Thursday afternoon.
This raid, executed by the U.S. Homeland Security agency, marked its largest operation yet as part of an ongoing initiative to enforce a stringent deportation strategy, particularly in Georgia, a state that hosts numerous South Korean enterprises and is a focal point for future investments. Just weeks prior, South Korea had pledged substantial investments in the U.S. in hopes of facilitating a favorable tariff deal. This was discussed during the inaugural summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on August 25.
President Trump recently remarked that the workers involved were in the U.S. illegally, emphasizing the need for collaboration with other nations to ensure that American citizens are trained for specialized jobs such as those in battery and computer manufacturing.
