A total of 316 South Korean nationals detained by U.S. immigration authorities are set to return home on September 11, local time. This comes seven days after their arrest and detention during a large-scale immigration raid on September 4 at the Hyundai Motor Group-LG Energy Solution joint venture battery plant construction site in Ellabell, Georgia.

The detainees were held at facilities such as the Folkston detention center. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, speaking to Korean reporters at the South Korean Embassy in Washington, D.C., on September 10, said, “We have confirmed with the U.S. side that our citizens, currently detained, will be able to board a chartered flight to return home tomorrow (September 11) without being handcuffed during the process.”Earlier that morning, Minister Cho met with U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio at the White House for about 20 minutes. In the afternoon, he met with Andy Baker, Deputy National Security Advisor and Vice Presidential Security Advisor, to reaffirm that the agreements made with Rubio were being implemented as discussed.

Cho emphasized, “We have secured assurances from the U.S. that these individuals will face no issues when returning to work in the United States,” confirming that the detained Koreans will not face disadvantages when re-entering the U.S. in the future. Regarding a proposal Cho made during his meeting with Rubio about creating a new visa category for South Korean skilled workers, he stated, “We confirmed that a working group between the U.S. State Department and our Foreign Ministry will be established to expedite discussions on creating a new visa type.

The detained Koreans were initially scheduled to return home on a chartered flight arranged by LG Energy Solution on September 11, but the departure was unexpectedly delayed due to “U.S. circumstances.”It was initially reported that the delay stemmed from administrative procedures, such as the use of physical restraints like handcuffs during the transfer of detainees from the detention facility to Atlanta International Airport, where the chartered flight was waiting. However, the Foreign Ministry clarified that this was not the case and that the actual reason was identified during Cho’s morning meeting with Rubio.

A Foreign Ministry official explained during a briefing at the embassy, “In the morning meeting with Secretary Rubio, Minister Cho learned that the ‘U.S. circumstances’ referred to President Trump’s directive to pause the return process. Trump reportedly suggested that since the detained Koreans are skilled workers, they should stay in the U.S. to continue working and train American workers, or at least clarify South Korea’s position on their return.

”The official added, “Minister Cho conveyed that our citizens are exhausted and shaken by this incident and that it would be better for them to return home first and come back to work later. The U.S. side (Rubio) respected our position and agreed to allow the detained Koreans to return home.”The official further noted, “We understand President Trump’s suggestion that the Koreans stay and work in the U.S. as an assurance that they will face no disadvantages.

”The official emphasized that the U.S. confirmed that Koreans opting for voluntary departure would not have records of “illegal stay” in the U.S., which could otherwise serve as grounds for future entry restrictions. South Korea does not agree that the detained individuals violated the terms of their visas, and the detainees themselves have not admitted to “illegal stay” allegations, the official added.

The delay in their release was communicated to South Korea after 10 p.m. the previous day, with the U.S. side not providing specific reasons at the time. The Foreign Ministry official clarified, “Despite strict U.S. escort regulations, President Trump instructed that the detainees be transported from the detention facility to the airport without physical restraints like handcuffs, as strongly requested by our side. The handcuff issue was not a reason for the delay.

”However, the official noted, “The handcuff issue was unresolved at the time, but it was unrelated to the delay in departure.”The Foreign Ministry is working to ensure that the detained Korean workers board a chartered flight from Atlanta International Airport at noon on September 11 (1 a.m. on September 12, Korean time).Of the 317 detained Koreans (307 men and 10 women), one chose to remain in the U.S. instead of opting for voluntary departure. In total, 330 individuals, including 14 foreign nationals (10 Chinese, 3 Japanese, and 1 Indonesian), are expected to return to South Korea.

Regarding assurances of no disadvantages for re-entry to the U.S., the official stated, “It has been confirmed that those with valid visas will face no disadvantages. Further discussions are needed for specific visa cases, such as ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization, part of the Visa Waiver Program).”When asked whether the U.S. offered an apology or expressed regret during discussions, the official responded, “There was no such gesture. The U.S. maintains that this was a legitimate law enforcement action. ”Minister Cho attributed the resolution of this issue to the successful South Korea-U.S. summit held previously, stating, “The trust built between the two leaders during the summit played a significant role.”