US Official Asks Hundreds of South Korean Workers to Return to America

An economic official in the state of Georgia, United States, stated that his team is discussing the return of South Korean workers who were recently raided by US Immigration authorities.

The workers were detained while employed at the construction site of a joint battery factory project between Hyundai Motor group and LG Energy Solution.

The workers were held for a week before being repatriated to South Korea.

Related: Impact of the Hyundai Factory Raid: South Korean Workers hesitant to Work

Trip Tollison, Head of the Savannah Economic Development Authority in Georgia, explained in an interview with Savannah Morning News on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, that the presence of South Korean workers is crucial for the continued progress of the factory project.

The Savannah Economic Development Authority is a private organization collaborating closely with the state government to promote economic development.

“The people who work in the Hyundai Motor factory are the only ones who can install the specialized equipment,” Tollison saeid. “We are working to get them back as quickly as possible.”

Key Takeaways

• South Korean workers at a Hyundai/LG Energy Solution battery factory in Georgia were raided by US Immigration authorities.
• The workers were detained for a week before being sent home.
• A Georgia economic official is advocating for their return, citing their specialized skills as essential to the project.
• The Savannah economic Development Authority is actively involved in facilitating the workers’ return.

Published: 2025/09/18 16:39:05