South Korea and the United States are planning to set up a new visa category for Korean workers, following the detention of hundreds of workers during a U.S. immigration raid.
About 475 people were detained at a Hyundai Motor-LG Energy Solution electric vehicle battery plant in Georgia, including over 300 South Korean nationals.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to raise concerns.
He received assurances that the released workers will not face penalties if they attempt to return to the U.S. in future.
A chartered flight is scheduled to repatriate them, with the condition they will not be handcuffed during transfer from detention to the airport.
The workers were reportedly brought in on visitor-type or ESTA visas, some of which did not clearly allow employment. Lawyers say many were engaged in tasks like installing or servicing equipment, roles they claim were disclosed in visa applications.
South Korean companies argue that U.S. visa policies are too strict when it comes to bringing in skilled labor needed for industrial projects or factory setup.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said this raid may hurt confidence of Korean firms to invest in the U.S. unless visa procedures are made clearer and fairer.
The two governments have begun talks to prevent similar incidents in future.