The shock of the "mass detention of 316 Koreans" working at a battery plant site in Georgia was eventually eased as arrangements were made for their return.

More than 300 South Koreans were rounded up in the Sept. 4 raid at the battery factory under construction at Hyundai’s sprawling auto plant in Georgia.

"Our nationals who had been detained by U.S. immigration authorities will soon be returning home," said South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.