Seoul says over 300 South Koreans detained in US Hyundai site raid to be released
Calling the incident in Georgia ‘regrettable’, Seoul said its top diplomat may visit the US to resolve the situation
08:08
Widespread anti-immigrant operations spark fear in Asian communities across the US
Seoul said on Sunday that negotiations with the United States to secure the release of South Korean workers detained in an immigration raid have been “concluded” and they would soon be freed and flown home.
The operation, carried out in the town of Ellabell, was the largest single-site raid implemented so far under US President Donald Trump’s nationwide anti-migrant drive, catching Seoul officials off guard.
“As a result of the swift and united response … negotiations for the release of the detained workers have been concluded,” Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff to President Lee Jae-myung, said on Sunday.
“Only administrative procedures remain. Once these are completed, a chartered flight will depart to bring our citizens home,” he added.
Foreign Minister Cho-hyun presided over an emergency response meeting in Seoul on Saturday after US federal agents carried out the sweep this week.