UPDATE - South Korea says return of detained citizens delayed due to 'US circumstances'

UPDATES WITH STATEMENT FROM SOUTH KOREAN FOREIGN MINISTRY, CHANGES HEADER, DECK, LEDE

By Saadet Gokce and Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - South Korea on Wednesday said that the return of its citizens detained by the US immigration authorities in Georgia has been delayed due to "US circumstances."

The planned repatriation of South Korean citizens "became difficult" due to unspecified circumstances, reported Seoul-based Yonhap news agency, citing a Foreign Ministry message.

Over 300 South Korean workers were originally planned to fly home on a chartered flight on Wednesday after their expected release from a detention facility in Folkston, six days after they were arrested in a major US immigration raid last Thursday.

South Korean workers were detained during a US immigration operation at a battery plant construction site in Bryan County, run by a joint venture of Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution.

"We are continuing talks with the US side to enable an early departure as soon as possible," the ministry said.

Seoul and Washington had earlier reported to have finalized arrangements for the detainees' departure, with most set to return voluntarily instead of being deported.

On Tuesday, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun arrived in Washington for talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the detention of South Korean workers and potential improvements to work visa programs for South Korean businesses.

Earlier on Sunday, South Korea's presidential office said that a chartered plane would fly to the US to bring the detained workers back home after concluding consultations with Washington to resolve the matter.