"We were treated like criminals," 316 Koreans detained in the U.S. return home safely, detainees explain the detention process was oppressive

The 316 Koreans who had been arrested and detained by U.S. immigration authorities returned safely home, arriving at Incheon International Airport aboard a Korean Air chartered flight. The return comes eight days after the workers were arrested at a joint battery plant construction site in Georgia, U.S., operated by Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution.

Flight KE9036 landed at approximately 3:23 PM, marking a 15-hour journey from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The workers had been detained during a U.S. immigration enforcement operation on September 4, sparking urgent diplomatic and corporate intervention. Senior officials, including Park Yoon Joo, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Kim Dong Myung, CEO of LG Energy Solution, traveled to the U.S. to expedite the resolution. The coordinated efforts of both governments and the companies involved resulted in a swift resolution of the situation.

Originally scheduled for September 10, the workers’ return was delayed due to differing views between Korea and the U.S. regarding airport escort procedures and departure arrangements. Reports also suggest that U.S. President Donald Trump proposed that skilled Korean workers remain in the U.S. and continue their work, which contributed to the delay.

Upon arrival, the workers completed a brief immigration procedure and were transported by bus to a long-term parking area before returning to their residences via employer-provided transportation.

The detained workers described the arrest and detention process as oppressive. Many testified that they were handcuffed without explanation and endured harsh conditions at the Foxton immigration detention center. One employee explained, "We were suddenly told to get on a bus, and then handcuffed. I don’t speak English well, so I just followed orders." Another shared, "We were taken without any explanation, so we were quite confused."

Some experienced burns from heated handcuffs, overcrowded rooms, and insufficient sleep due to consecutive interrogations. One factory worker explained, "The handcuffs were heated in the sun and were extremely hot when put on us. Many people suffered burns." Another factory worker complained, "We were treated like criminals regardless of the legality of our visas, just because we were foreigners. For my case, I was cuffed on my arms, feet, and waist."

They also added, "Some people couldn’t sleep without sleeping pills, and they couldn’t continue to receive prescriptions until their release. Bathrooms and showers were open; we just had a thin tent covering the upper body… 70 people in one room." International human rights organizations have previously raised concerns about hygiene and safety at this facility.

Many of the detained Koreans also confessed to suffering anxiety from the indefinite detention and not knowing the situation. One worker explained, "Not knowing how long we had to endure was the hardest part. It was the worst… truly the worst." He added, "We didn't know we would be detained. All the employees were gathered and classified by visa types. Then suddenly we were gathered and loaded on the bus. We were still unaware of the situation even as we were being transferred on the bus." Families of the detained workers expressed immense relief upon their safe return, shedding tears after more than a week of anxiety.

In response, LG Energy Solution announced that all returned employees, including those from partner companies, would receive one month of paid leave, health check-ups, and psychological counseling programs.