Fri Sep 12 08:38:38 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a news article adaptation:
**Summary:**
A chartered flight carrying over 310 South Korean workers, arrested during a large-scale U.S. immigration raid at a Hyundai-LG battery plant construction site in Georgia, has landed in Incheon, South Korea. The arrests sparked outrage in South Korea, with many feeling betrayed by the U.S. government, especially due to the images of the workers in handcuffs and chains. Despite initial concerns about visa restrictions, the South Korean government negotiated a voluntary return for the workers with no re-entry restrictions. The incident has caused political unity in South Korea, with widespread condemnation of the raid and concerns about its impact on future U.S. investments and the construction of the $4.3 billion Georgia facility.
**News Article:**
**Korean Workers Return Home After US Raid Sparks Outrage, Investment Fears**
**Incheon, South Korea** – A chartered flight carrying over 310 South Korean workers deported from the United States landed in Incheon on Friday, concluding a week of diplomatic tension sparked by a large-scale immigration raid at a Hyundai-LG battery plant construction site in Georgia.
The raid, which resulted in the arrest of 475 individuals, primarily South Korean workers, has ignited fierce criticism in South Korea, with many viewing the incident as a betrayal by a key ally. Graphic images of the arrested workers in handcuffs and chains have fueled public anger and prompted protests.
“You told us to invest, only to arrest us! Is this how you treat an ally?” read one protest sign held at Incheon International Airport, where demonstrators accused the U.S. of luring investment only to criminalize workers.
President Lee Jae-myung condemned the raid as “bewildering” and warned it could deter future Korean investment in the US. The government has reportedly been lobbying Washington to ensure normal visa processing for investment-related purposes.
While U.S. officials initially insisted on deportation with potential re-entry restrictions, South Korean authorities successfully negotiated a “voluntary return” arrangement, ensuring the workers face no visa limitations.
The incident has unexpectedly united South Korean politicians across the political spectrum, with widespread condemnation of the U.S.’s actions. Polls indicate that a majority of South Koreans disapprove of the raid, raising concerns about its potential long-term impact on U.S.-Korean relations and economic cooperation. The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions has demanded an apology from the Trump administration and called for a suspension of South Korean investments in the US.
Industry executives have warned that the arrests could significantly delay construction at the $4.3 billion Georgia battery plant, further exacerbating the fallout from the controversial raid.
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