South Korea Sends Charter Plane to Repatriate Workers After ICE Raid in Georgia

South Korea has dispatched a chartered plane to the United States to bring home hundreds of its citizens detained during a large immigration raid at Hyundai’s electric vehicle battery plant in Georgia. The operation marks one of the most serious diplomatic incidents between the two allies in recent years, touching both economic and political nerves.

On September 4, ICE officers carried out the largest single-site enforcement action in recent history at Hyundai’s $4.3 billion battery factory near Savannah. Authorities detained 475 workers, more than 300 of them South Koreans. Images released by U.S. officials showing detainees shackled at the wrists, ankles, and waist quickly circulated in South Korea, sparking outrage and feelings of betrayal toward Washington.

The raid targeted contractors and engineers who were working at the site under temporary visas. Many were reportedly in charge of installing specialized machinery required to produce next-generation batteries, equipment not manufactured in the United States. Immigration lawyers argued that the workers were performing highly technical jobs that would take years to train American replacements to handle.

Diplomatic Response

In the days after the raid, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry moved quickly to negotiate the release of its nationals. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun traveled to Washington for urgent talks, pressing the U.S. government to allow a charter flight to repatriate those detained. The Korean Air Boeing 747 departed from Incheon on September 9, heading to Atlanta, and is expected to return with the workers on Thursday, reported the AP.

President Lee Jae Myung addressed the situation in a Cabinet meeting, describing the incident as a “heavy responsibility” for his administration. He pledged to work closely with Washington to prevent similar disruptions to South Korean business operations abroad and said his government would seek improved systems for the deployment of skilled workers.

Political and Economic Fallout

In the United States, President Donald Trump defended the raid as part of a broader immigration enforcement strategy. He stated that while foreign expertise is sometimes necessary, companies investing in U.S. plants must prioritize training American workers. His comments fueled debate about the balance between protecting domestic jobs and relying on foreign specialists for advanced manufacturing.

The timing of the raid has raised questions in Seoul, as South Korea recently committed to major U.S. investments in technology and energy projects, estimated at hundreds of billions of dollars. Analysts warn the incident could cool enthusiasm for future investments, particularly if visa restrictions and enforcement actions remain unpredictable.

A Strain on an Alliance

The episode highlights vulnerabilities in a relationship that has long been anchored by military and economic cooperation. The United States maintains nearly 30,000 troops in South Korea and another 50,000 in Japan, positioning the alliance as a cornerstone of security in the Asia-Pacific. While polls continue to show strong support among South Koreans for close ties with Washington, experts caution that another high-profile raid could damage public trust and strain bilateral ties.

For now, the focus is on safely returning the detained workers. But as the charter plane carries them back to Seoul, lingering questions remain over how the U.S. and South Korea will navigate the competing pressures of labor needs, immigration enforcement, and the demands of a global supply chain.