316 Korean Workers Return Home After Detainment by US Immigration Authorities

A total of 316 Korean laborers who were previously detained by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have finally returned home, touching off an emotional reunion at Incheon International Airport filled with applause and tears.

On September 4 (local time), the workers were apprehended at the construction site of the LG Energy Solution battery factory by ICE agents and subsequently detained. Eight days later, on September 12 around 3 p.m. local time, they arrived in South Korea on Korean Air charter flight KE9036, departing from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The flight carried 330 workers in total, including the 316 Korean nationals (with one opting to remain) and 14 foreign nationals—10 from China, three from Japan, and one from Indonesia. The plane landed at 3:23 p.m. on Incheon International Airport’s runway. Although visibly fatigued, the workers appeared to be in relatively good health as they disembarked.

Many quickly announced their safe arrival by calling their friends and family as soon as they stepped off the plane. As the workers entered the arrivals hall, they were met with rounds of applause and waves of welcome from the crowd.

Asked by reporters about their health and feelings upon returning, some workers simply nodded or replied, “It feels good to be home.”

One worker, raising both hands while heading to the bus, shouted, “I’m back! Freedom!” and added, “I feel so good! I’m happy. Thank you.”

A particularly moving scene unfolded as the first bus carrying the workers arrived at Terminal 2’s public exit area. As one man stepped off, his wife, waiting on the ground floor, shouted “Honey!” and embraced him. Applause and cheers erupted throughout the terminal, echoing up to the fourth and fifth floors. Some could not hold back their tears amid the emotional reunions.

Inside the arrivals hall, the civic group Hwalbindan called for an apology from former President Trump, holding satirical photos depicting armed ICE agents with President Trump’s face superimposed.

To maintain order, authorities deployed 100 police officers, including 60 from the Incheon Metropolitan Police Rapid Deployment Unit and 40 from the Incheon Airport Police, monitoring the scene and assisting with workers’ movements throughout the airport.

After brief reunions, the workers met their families in the parking lot and departed to their respective homes in vehicles prepared by LG Energy Solution and its partners.

LG Energy Solution has announced plans to provide about a month of paid leave to support the workers’ mental and physical recovery.

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=Yonhap News