Seoul concludes that US conversations to release South Koreans detained in the rabid Hyundai

The South Korean government says the talks with the United States has ended to release its citizens detained in a large -scale immigration raid at a Hyundai factory in Georgia.

South Korea President’s staff said that a charted plane would be sent to bring the detainees home if the administrative procedures were completed.

Cannes Hong-Sik said authorities were trying to improve the visa system to prevent such incidents in the future.

US officials detained 475 people – more than 300 of them South Korean citizens – who said they were found to be working in the battery illegally, one of the largest projects for foreign investment in the country.

The White House defended the operation, rejecting fears that the attack could deter foreign investment.

“They were illegal aliens, and ice (immigration and customs implementation) were just doing their job,” President Donald Trump said after the attacks on Friday.

A video published by ICE officials showed that Asian workers were shackled in front of a building, some of which worn yellow vests with names such as “Hyundai” and “LG CNS”.

“People in short or leisure visas are not authorized to work in the US,” Ice said, adding that the attack is necessary to protect US jobs.

“This operation is sending a clear message that those who use the system and undermine our labor force will be held accountable,” Stephen Schrank in a Saturday statement said in a statement from the Special Interior Security Agent (HSI).

South Korea, a close ally of the United States, promised tens of billions of dollars in US production investment, in part to compensate for tariffs.

The time of the attack, as the two governments are involved in sensitive trade conversations, has caused concern in Seoul.

Trump has actively encouraged major investments from other countries, while tightening visa distributions for foreign companies.

The LG Energy Solution, which manages the Hyundai plant, says many of the arrested LG employees have been on business trips with different visas or on a visa waiver program.

The company said it stops most business trips to the US and directs US assignment staff to return home immediately.

South Korean media widely described the attack as a “shock” when Dong-a newspaper Ilbo warns that it can have a “freezing effect on our business in the United States.”

The factory, which is making new electric vehicles, was advertised by Georgia’s Republican governor as the largest economic development project in the history of the country where 1200 people employ.

The arrested workers are kept in an ice establishment in Volkston, Georgia.

The LG Energy Solution said that 47 of its employees and about 250 workers for contractors at a joint venture factory were detained.