From the Arrest of Over 300 to Negotiations
President Lee Urges "Swift Resolution"...
Administrative Procedures Expected to Conclude Soon
Additional Talks with U.S. to Prevent Recurrence
Visa System Improvements for Business Travelers
The South Korean government has concluded negotiations for the release of over 300 South Korean workers who were arrested and detained en masse at the construction site of the Hyundai Motor Group-LG Energy Solution joint battery plant in Georgia, United States. The government will dispatch a chartered flight to assist the workers in returning to Korea. The workers are expected to board the chartered flight and return home around September 10 local time, departing voluntarily.
After the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested the South Korean workers at the construction site at 10:45 a.m. local time on September 4, the South Korean government has been in discussions with the U.S. authorities. Upon receiving a report on the incident, President Lee Jaemyung stated, "In this case, the rights and interests of our citizens and the economic activities of South Korean companies investing in the U.S. must not be unfairly infringed upon by the U.S. law enforcement process. The Embassy in the United States and the Consulate General in Atlanta must take all possible measures to resolve the matter swiftly." As a result of these efforts, on September 7, both sides completed negotiations for the release of the detainees. Kang Hoonshik, Chief of Staff to the President, stated during opening remarks at a high-level government-party meeting held at the Prime Minister's residence in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, "Thanks to the swift response by the government, economic organizations, and companies, negotiations for the release of the detained workers have concluded," adding, "Once the administrative procedures are completed, a chartered flight will depart for Georgia, United States."
The South Korean workers are expected to board the chartered flight at Jacksonville International Airport in Florida, which is about a 50-minute drive from the Folkston detention facility in Georgia, on September 10. Cho Kijung, Consul General in Washington who is overseeing consular support on site, met with reporters at the detention facility and said regarding the return timeline, "We are expecting it to be around Wednesday (the 10th)," adding, "After technical consultations regarding the operation of the chartered flight, Jacksonville Airport was found to be the closest." It is known that the return will proceed via voluntary departure. Unlike forced deportation, voluntary departure does not leave a deportation record or impose a re-entry ban, so there will be no restrictions on future entry.
The government plans to continue additional consultations with U.S. authorities to prevent a recurrence. Chief Kang emphasized, "To prevent similar cases in the future, we will work with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and related companies to improve the visa system for business travelers related to such projects," adding, "The government will implement all necessary measures to achieve both the prompt release of detained citizens and the stable execution of the project." Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will also travel to the United States on September 8 to meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to bring the matter to a close.
Previously, on September 4 local time, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted a raid at the Hyundai Motor Group-LG Energy Solution plant in Georgia and detained 475 people, including more than 300 South Koreans. LG Energy Solution stated that among the detainees, 47 were affiliated with LG Energy Solution (46 from Korea and 1 from Indonesia), and about 250 were from HL-GA Battery Company's equipment partner firms. LG Energy Solution has suspended all business trips to the United States except for customer meetings. The company also issued instructions for employees to return home immediately or remain at their accommodations, depending on their work status. In connection with the raid, Kim Kisoo, Chief Human Resources Officer of LG Energy Solution, departed for the site in Georgia on the morning of September 7. Hyundai Motor Group also advised those scheduled for business trips to the United States to "consider postponing unless absolutely necessary," and stated that "only urgent and essential trips will be permitted."
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