ICE raid on Hyundai plant in Georgia swept up workers on visitor visas

South Korea foreign affairs minister said he felt a "great sense of responsibility" over the arrest of more than 300 South Koreans.

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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said 475 people, mostly South Korean citizens - were found to be illegally working at a Hyundai battery plant in the state of Georgia on Thursday.

"People on short-term or recreational visas are not authorized to work in the US," ICE said, adding that the raid was necessary to protect American jobs.

South Korea, whose companies have promised to invest billions of dollars in key US industries in the coming years, partly to avoid tariffs, has sent diplomats to Georgia, and called for its citizens' rights to be respected.

Official: Raid at US Hyundai factory "biggest" in Homeland Security historyThe arrested workers were being held at an ICE facility in Folkston, Georgia, until the agency decides where to move them next.