Overview

• South Korea organized a charter from Atlanta to Incheon to return detainees, but the foreign ministry says departure planned for Sept. 10 local time became difficult due to circumstances on the U.S. side and talks are continuing.
• Japan’s foreign ministry confirmed that three Japanese nationals are slated to board the charter alongside Korean detainees.
• ICE detained about 475 foreign workers on Sept. 4 at the Hyundai Motor Group–LG Energy Solution EV battery plant construction site in Georgia, including roughly 300 Koreans.
• Images released by U.S. authorities and carried by AP showed detainees linked in handcuffs and leg restraints, fueling public shock in South Korea.
• Reporting indicates Korean companies will cover the charter’s round-trip cost, with total transport expenses estimated at about 1 billion won, and Seoul’s foreign minister conveyed “deep concern” to the U.S. secretary of state while requesting early departures and protection against future reentry disadvantages.