South Korean Workers Return Home After Detention in U.S. Immigration Raid

More than 300 South Korean workers detained during a U.S. immigration raid have returned to South Korea. The workers were among 475 individuals apprehended on September 4 at a battery factory under construction at Hyundai's auto plant near Savannah, Georgia. The detainees included 316 South Koreans, along with Chinese, Japanese, and Indonesian nationals.

The raid and subsequent detention led to public outcry in South Korea, a key U.S. ally. Images released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement showed some workers shackled, intensifying the backlash.

Upon arrival at Incheon International Airport, the workers were greeted by senior officials, including presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik. Kang expressed regret over the delay in their return but emphasized the government's efforts to expedite the process.

The incident has prompted discussions between South Korea and the United States regarding visa policies for skilled workers. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun announced plans to establish a bilateral working group to create a new visa category, facilitating the deployment of South Korean employees to U.S. projects.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung warned that without improvements to the U.S. visa system, South Korean companies might reconsider future investments in the United States.