South Korean Consular Officials Complete Meetings with Detained Nationals

Strategic Insights -

South Korean consular officials have wrapped up face-to-face meetings with Korean nationals detained in a recent immigration raid in Georgia, and are poised to initiate a process to secure their formal consent on their departure from the United States. The official, Cho Ki-joong, consul general at the Korean Embassy in Washington, stated that the meetings were conducted individually and in groups, aiming to facilitate the voluntary departure of the detained nationals. Meanwhile, the South Korean government continues to seek the return of its citizens through voluntary measures rather than deportation. Those wishing to return to Korea may board a chartered plane as early as Wednesday.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 300 Korean nationals have been detained in Georgia following an immigration raid at an electric vehicle battery plant construction site for a joint venture of Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution.
  • Cho Ki-joong, consul general at the Korean Embassy in Washington, confirmed that face-to-face meetings with the detained nationals have been completed, with the process to obtain their formal consent on departure to begin soon.
  • Korean workers, detained at the Folkston Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Processing Center, face the possibility of immediate deportation, restrictions on entry into the U.S. for five years, or trial under detention.
  • U.S. immigration authorities have alleged that those arrested were working illegally, including those on short-term or recreational visas.
  • South Korea has been actively seeking the voluntary return of its nationals, with an estimated chartered plane to depart for Korea as early as Wednesday.

Statistics:

  • 475 people were arrested in total during the immigration raid, including the Korean workers.
  • Over 300 Korean nationals are currently detained in Georgia.
  • Male Korean workers are being held at the Folkston Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Processing Center, while female colleagues are being detained at the Stewart Detention Center.

Sources:

  • Yap, J. (2025, September 09). S. Korea seeks voluntary return of nationals after US immigration raid. Yonhap News Agency.