South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun confirmed Saturday that more than 300 South Korean nationals were among 457 people detained in a U.S. immigration raid at a Hyundai–LG battery plant construction site in Georgia.

Cho said Seoul is “deeply concerned” over the arrests and may dispatch senior officials or even visit Washington himself for consultations. President Lee Jae Myung has directed authorities to make urgent efforts to protect South Korean citizens and companies investing in the U.S.

The raid, described by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations as the largest single-site operation in its history, targeted alleged unlawful employment practices at HL-GA Battery Co., a Hyundai–LG joint venture. U.S. officials said detainees included individuals who overstayed visas or violated visa waiver restrictions.

While President Trump defended the arrests as enforcement against “illegal aliens,” Seoul expressed regret and urged protection of workers’ rights. LG Energy Solution confirmed 47 employees among those detained, paused U.S. travel, and sent its HR chief to address the situation.

The plant, scheduled for completion next year, has suspended construction as investigations continue. Most detainees remain at a detention center in Georgia.