Detained S. Koreans in US expected to return home this week

SEOUL -- About 300 South Korean workers detained in the United States were expected to return home in a chartered flight later this week, Yonhap news agency said Monday, citing a South Korean diplomat.

Cho Ki-joong, consul general at the South Korean embassy in Washington, was quoted as saying that the date of return would be on Wednesday, when the chartered plane would head to Jacksonville International Airport in Florida, about a 50-minute car ride from the Folkston detention center in Georgia.

The US immigration authorities detained 475 people, including about 300 South Koreans, following a raid on Sept 4 at an electric vehicle battery plant construction site operated by a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution.

Kang Hoon-sik, presidential chief of staff, said Sunday that negotiations had been concluded for the release of the detained South Koreans, noting that once administrative procedures are completed, the chartered plane will depart to bring the South Koreans home.