Georgia Hyundai plant raid: US-South Korea finalise deal for workers' release; here’s what’s happening

South Korea struck a deal with the United States, on Sunday, securing the release of its nationals detained during an immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia.Presidential chief of staff, Kang Hoon-sik, declared that the two nations had completed negotiations and only administrative formalities were pending. He further added that Seoul would arrange a chartered flight to bring the workers back once those steps were finalised.According to foreign minister Cho Hyun, more than 300 South Koreans were among the 475 people taken into custody during Thursday’s operation.The raid was part of the Trump administration’s broader deportation drive, but stood out because of its scale and its focus on a major manufacturing project described by state leaders as Georgia’s largest economic development initiative.Footage released by US immigration and customs enforcement showed convoys of vehicles entering the site as federal agents ordered workers to assemble outside. Several were made to press their hands against a bus before being frisked and shackled at the wrists, ankles and waist.The operation targeted a plant still under construction, where Hyundai and LG Energy Solution are working together to produce batteries for electric vehicles.During the operation, several workers had attempted to flee. Some crawled into air ducts while others jumped into a sewage pond, only to be retrieved by agents using a boat. Homeland Security Investigations had earlier said that those taken into custody included people who had crossed the border illegally, overstayed visas, or breached visa waiver rules. After the detention, Cho Hyun said President Lee Jae Myung had ordered “all-out necessary measures” to support those affected.