25.09.12.Today News : 316 Koreans Freed from Georgia Detention Return Home to Incheon

316 Koreans Freed from Georgia Detention Return Home to Incheon

📍Charter flight arranged after ICE raid; emotional reunions at airport as government and LG Energy Solution vow stronger safeguards

A total of 330 workers, including 316 South Koreans detained in Georgia following a surprise ICE raid, have safely returned to Korea after eight days in custody. The return was made possible through emergency negotiations between the Korean government, U.S. authorities, and corporate representatives.

A total of 330 people, including 316 Korean workers who had been arrested and detained in Georgia, USA, returned home via a chartered flight.

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■ Charter Flight Brings 330 Workers Back
On September 11 (local time), a Korean Air charter flight departed from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, carrying 330 workers, including 316 South Koreans and 14 foreign nationals from China, Japan, and Indonesia. The plane landed at Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of September 12, marking the end of an eight-day detention ordeal.

■ Tearful Reunions at Incheon Airport
Families had gathered early at Terminal 2 of Incheon Airport, anxiously awaiting their loved ones. As passengers began to appear, the scene quickly filled with tears, applause, and shouts of relief. Some returnees arrived with only plastic bags or airline pouches, many still unshaven and wearing slippers provided by the detention center. One woman cried out her husband’s name before embracing him, while another mother wept as she checked her son’s condition.

■ Families Recall Days of Fear
The families described the past week as “hell on earth.” One mother was shocked after receiving a photo of her son in handcuffs. Another wife, who usually spoke with her husband every morning, lost contact for a week and said she lost 3 kilograms from anxiety. Some family members voiced anger, saying their relatives were treated like criminals or victims of racial discrimination despite committing no serious offenses.

■ Chaotic Raid and Harsh Detention Conditions
According to testimonies, around 50 to 60 armed officers stormed the Hyundai-LG joint battery plant construction site, detaining hundreds of workers. The detainees were forced to wait without food for hours before being transferred to the ICE facility. Inside the center, over 100 people were crammed into a single room, facing water shortages and poor sanitation, making daily life extremely difficult.

■ Swift Government and Corporate Response
To resolve the crisis, a delegation of 21 officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister Park Yun-joo and LG Energy Solution CEO Kim Dong-myeong, accompanied the workers on the charter flight. Following diplomatic talks, U.S. authorities assured Korea that the detained workers would not face penalties for future re-entry.

LG Energy Solution announced it would grant all returning employees and subcontractor staff paid leave through the Chuseok holidays, as well as full medical checkups and psychological counseling within the next month. The company emphasized equal support regardless of employment status.

■ Construction Projects Face Delays
The HL-GA battery plant construction in Georgia, which had reached 98% completion, has been halted indefinitely. Many of the detained workers were key technical staff from Korea sent to complete the production line setup. While the three other U.S. battery plant projects are continuing with minimal disruptions, LG officials admitted that schedules have been significantly affected.

■ Broader Implications and Policy Challenges
Experts warn that the incident reflects deeper structural issues. While the U.S. continues to press for expanded Korean investment, its restrictive visa policies create vulnerabilities for overseas workers. The Korean government is now exploring new visa systems and long-term safeguards to prevent similar crises, stressing the need for institutional solutions and stronger bilateral cooperation.

One-line summary : A total of 330 workers, including 316 Koreans detained in Georgia, returned home on a charter flight and reunited with their families at Incheon Airport.