Seoul Plans Repatriation of Detainees from US

(MENAFN) South Korean employees apprehended last week during an immigration sweep in the United States are expected to return to their homeland voluntarily rather than undergo deportation.

Seoul intends to dispatch a chartered plane to repatriate them following discussions with Washington, according to local press reports on Monday.

Authorities confirmed that 475 individuals were taken into custody during Thursday’s operation at an electric vehicle battery facility being built in Georgia, a collaboration between Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution.

American officials explained that the raid formed part of a criminal probe into suspected illicit labor practices. Out of those detained, more than 300 were South Korean citizens.

On Sunday, the presidential office in Seoul announced that a chartered aircraft would be sent to the US to return the apprehended workers, after finalizing talks with Washington to settle the issue.

South Korea has been negotiating with the United States to secure their repatriation through voluntary departure, as deportation might restrict their ability to visit America in the future, a news agency reported, citing a diplomatic insider.

According to reports, US immigration officials have presented the detainees with two alternatives: accept deportation along with a five-year ban on reentry, or remain in custody and proceed to trial.

This development took place only hours before Foreign Minister Cho Hyun was scheduled to depart for the US.

He is expected to engage with Trump administration representatives to seek cooperation for the release of the detained nationals and to deliberate on the necessary administrative procedures.

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