Overview

• Seoul said negotiations with U.S. officials are complete and a chartered plane will repatriate the detained South Koreans once remaining administrative steps are finished, with roughly 300 nationals among 475 people held.
• South Korea mobilized consular teams in Washington and Atlanta, while construction at the Ellabell battery project remains paused and Hyundai and LG dispatched senior executives to assist.
• Homeland Security Investigations said the sweep followed a months-long probe and was its largest single-site operation; the criminal investigation continues and many detainees were moved to the Folkston ICE Processing Center with no charges announced so far.
• Video showing workers handcuffed and shackled drew public outrage and diplomatic concern in Seoul, as President Donald Trump defended the raid by calling the workers “illegal aliens.”
• Multiple reports indicate many detainees entered on ESTA or B1/B2 visas that do not authorize paid work, and Seoul said it will review visa rules and contractor compliance to prevent a repeat.