316 Korean Workers Detained in U.S. Reunite with Families After 8 Days (Update)

Arrived at Incheon Airport Around 3:30 p.m. on September 12

Three hundred sixteen Koreans who had been detained by U.S. immigration authorities during a crackdown on undocumented immigrants returned to their families after eight days.

At approximately 3:20 p.m. on September 12, Korean Air charter flight KE9036, carrying 316 Koreans who had been detained by U.S. immigration authorities, landed at Incheon International Airport.

The charter flight departed from Atlanta International Airport in the United States at around 11:30 a.m. local time on September 11 and arrived safely at Incheon Airport after a flight of about 15 hours.

To expedite the entry procedures for the workers, Kang Hoonshik, Chief Presidential Secretary, and members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' rapid response team were on site.

The charter flight was also carrying Park Yoonjoo, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Kim Dongmyung, CEO of LG Energy Solution, who had traveled to the United States to help resolve the situation.

Korean Air charter flight departing from Atlanta International Airport. Photo by Yonhap News

As the passengers disembarked, Chief Secretary Kang and other officials at the scene applauded and repeatedly said, "Thank you for your hard work," warmly welcoming them. The workers' faces clearly showed signs of fatigue from the hardships endured over the past seven days, but there was also a sense of relief at having arrived safely in Korea.

After arriving in Korea, the workers proceeded from the arrivals hall at Incheon Airport to the long-term parking lot by bus. There, they were expected to reunite with their families and return home individually.

Previously, on September 4, U.S. immigration authorities detained about 300 workers at the Hyundai Motor-LG Energy Solution joint battery plant construction site on charges such as illegal stay. During this process, around 300 Koreans, including LG Energy Solution employees and partner company personnel, were held in detention centers across the United States.

In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dispatched a rapid response team to the United States to secure the release of the Korean workers and negotiated with U.S. authorities to ensure their release and safe return home. The detained Koreans were released at around 2 a.m. local time on September 11, transferred to Atlanta International Airport, and safely returned to Korea.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.