More than 300 South Koreans who were detained in a massive immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in the US state of Georgia last week are due to arrive home on Friday.
Their return comes as the country's president and Hyundai's chief executive have warned about the impact of the raid.
A chartered Korean Air jet carrying the workers and 14 non-Koreans who were also detained in the raid took off from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport at midday local time on Thursday (17:00 BST). One South Korean national has reportedly chosen to stay in the US to seek permanent residency.
The plane is expected to arrive at Incheon International Airport some at around 15:30 Seoul time (07:30 BST).
The departure was delayed by more than a day due to an instruction from the White House, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Thursday.
President Donald Trump ordered the pause to check whether the workers were willing to remain in the US to continue working and training Americans, according to a South Korean foreign ministry official.
The BBC has contacted the White House for comment.
Lee also said companies would be very hesitant about investing in the US following the raid.
The situation is extremely bewildering, Lee added, noting it is common practice for Korean firms to send workers to help set up overseas factories.
Lee added that if such practices were no longer allowed, establishing manufacturing facilities in the US would become increasingly difficult.
Seoul is negotiating with Washington on visa options for South Korean workers, and the South Korean foreign ministry has called upon the US Congress to support a new visa for Korean firms.
During discussions with US senators in Washington this week, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun reaffirmed concerns over the arrests.
Meanwhile, Hyundai's chief executive José Muñoz stated the raid will delay the factory's opening. Mr Muñoz mentioned the raid will create a minimum two to three months delay due to the need for workers to return.
Last week, US officials detained 475 people, more than 300 of whom were South Korean nationals, for allegedly working illegally at the battery facility, one of Georgia's largest foreign investment projects.
The detention raised concerns in South Korea, which has pledged to invest billions in America to alleviate the impact of tariffs.
US media aired reports of chaos during the raid, emphasizing the apprehensions of detained workers who were primarily mechanics brought in by contractors.
As the two countries navigate sensitive trade talks, there are fears that such actions could create misunderstandings and conflict in diplomatic relations.
The White House defended the raid, arguing it would not deter foreign investments. President Trump, in a social media post, called for foreign companies to hire more Americans while emphasizing respect for immigration laws.
