Washington: The planned departure of South Korean nationals detained in Georgia following a U.S. immigration sweep has encountered delays due to unspecified circumstances, according to the South Korean foreign ministry. More than 300 South Korean workers had been scheduled to board a chartered flight on Wednesday to return home after their release from a detention facility in Folkston.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the workers had been arrested as part of a major U.S. immigration raid at a construction site for a South Korean electric car battery plant in Bryan County, Georgia. The site is a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Co. and LG Energy Solution Ltd. The raid resulted in the detention of 475 individuals, including around 300 South Koreans, over potential work visa violations.

The South Korean foreign ministry has stated that the departure of its nationals "became difficult" due to these unspecified U.S. circumstances. However, the ministry assured that talks with U.S. authorities are ongoing to facilitate an early departure as soon as possible. A chartered plane had already left for Atlanta to repatriate the detained workers and was expected to arrive on Wednesday morning.

Following diplomatic negotiations, Seoul announced that the workers were expected to be released early Wednesday and transported by bus to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to board their flight home. It remains uncertain whether all detained individuals have agreed to board the flight, though a Seoul official mentioned that those with foreign nationalities might also return on the same plane.

In an effort to expedite the release and ensure safe return, South Korean officials have been in negotiations with Washington. They aim to ensure the departure is treated as voluntary, with no impact on the detainees' future entry into the United States. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun has arrived in Washington to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss the situation and explore improvements to work visa programs for South Korean businesses. Cho is also expected to engage with U.S. immigration policy officials, including those from the Department of Homeland Security.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt mentioned that the Department of Homeland Security and the Commerce Department are working on addressing visa rules for skilled foreign workers.