Seoul: South Korea and the United States have reached a "broad agreement" ensuring that South Koreans detained in Georgia during an immigration crackdown will not face future entry disadvantages into the U.S., as announced by South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho. This development was shared during a parliamentary session, coinciding with Cho's imminent departure to Washington to finalize arrangements for approximately 300 South Korean nationals held at a detention center in Georgia, following a significant raid by U.S. immigration authorities.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Seoul has arranged to dispatch a chartered flight potentially as early as Wednesday to facilitate the return of the detained South Koreans. The decision comes after thorough consultations with Washington aimed at resolving the issue. During an urgent National Assembly hearing, Cho confirmed the broad agreement reached with the U.S., stating that the final confirmation process is underway. The arrests, which involved South Korean workers from an electric vehicle battery plant construction site operated by Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution Ltd., have caused public outrage in Seoul. Video footage released by immigration authorities showed the detainees being shackled and transported, sparking further concern.

The aggressive expansion of South Korean companies in U.S. investments, particularly amid the previous U.S. administration's manufacturing revival efforts, has heightened tensions. There is growing concern that the detained individuals could face future entry restrictions. However, Seoul officials are in continuous dialogue with Washington to prevent any such disadvantages. Cho also indicated plans to discuss potential revisions to visa quotas for South Koreans, specifically the E-4 visa for skilled tech experts, during his visit to Washington. He aims to negotiate improvements in visa quotas, including possible expansions.

Additionally, Cho plans to meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss these matters. Lawmakers have urged the creation of a dedicated work visa quota for South Korean businesspeople, akin to the fixed quota arrangement secured by Australia through special U.S. legislation. Cho expressed intent to negotiate in favor of such arrangements.