Seoul: South Korean workers detained in an immigration raid in the United States are expected to return home voluntarily instead of facing deportation, as Seoul plans to send a chartered flight after consultations with Washington.

According to Yonhap News Agency, more than 300 South Korean nationals are being held at a detention center in Folkston, Georgia, following a raid at an electric vehicle battery plant construction site operated by a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution near Savannah. The South Korean presidential office announced that a chartered plane would be dispatched to the U.S. to bring them back after necessary consultations with Washington.

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is scheduled to travel to Washington via Salt Lake City to meet with officials and finalize the details to ensure the release of the detained nationals. "We are working with the U.S. to resolve the matter swiftly to make sure that all detained South Koreans can safely return home early," a ministry official stated. The plan is to bring them back at the earliest possible date once local procedures are completed.

The chartered plane is anticipated to depart for the U.S. as early as Wednesday, South Korean time. Seoul has been negotiating with Washington to facilitate the return of the detained nationals under a voluntary departure agreement. This approach aims to prevent any potential travel restrictions or stricter visa screenings that could result from deportation.

Consular officials have conducted meetings with approximately 250 of the detainees to assess their health and treatment at the facility. "We gather that there has been no unfair treatment of the detained people or any potential violations of human rights," the official noted. Steps will be taken to determine how many of the detainees wish to board the chartered plane, starting Monday, U.S. time.