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The employees exited the baggage claim area in groups, accompanied by authorities and police. Some were waving, others were carrying luggage or personal items, and many wore masks. As each group appeared, they received cheers from those watching.
More than a dozen buses parked outside the arrivals area waited to take the returning workers to be reunited with their families elsewhere.
The aircraft, organized by the South Korean government, departed from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport around midday on Thursday, a day later than South Korean authorities initially planned.
According to the South Korean foreign ministry, Trump postponed the return to discuss with South Korea if the detained nationals should stay in the U.S. to continue assisting in the establishment of an electric vehicle battery facility being developed by South Korean firms Hyundai and LG Energy Solution.
South Korean officials said it would be best for them to return home first after spending a week in ICE detention.
The workers were released shortly after 2 a.m. ET on Thursday from the Folkston ICE Processing Center in rural Georgia without any physical restraints like handcuffs, one of South Korea’s primary conditions in talks with U.S. officials.
Construction of the $4.3 billion battery facility, part of a larger site in the town of Ellabell expected to generate about 8,500 American jobs, has faced delays of at least two to three months, confirmed a Hyundai North America spokesperson to NBC News on Thursday, referencing Hyundai CEO Jose Munoz.
Out of the detained South Koreans, 47 were with LG Energy Solution and the remaining had subcontractor roles. Hyundai, South Korea’s top automaker, stated that none of its direct staff were detained.
In a statement, LG Energy Solution apologized to the workers and their families and thanked the South Korean government and others who worked to secure their release.
“We are profoundly thankful for the extraordinary efforts to not only ensure an unusually swift release but also to carefully address various concerns, including guaranteeing that there will be no disadvantages upon re-entry,” the company said.
“Above all, our company deeply empathizes with the hardship endured by those affected.”
The workers were in the U.S. under various short-term visa programs that are commonly used for business trips but whose exact guidelines aren’t always clear. Many in South Korea have questioned the fairness of the Trump administration suddenly cracking down on a practice the U.S. has tolerated for years.
The incident has raised concerns about the potential impact on business ties with South Korea, which has pledged $500 billion in U.S. investment, including $26 billion from Hyundai, as part of tariff negotiations.
