Chaos has erupted at a Hyundai manufacturing plant in the United States after hundreds of staff were detained in a major raid by authorities.
Up to 450 workers at a Hyundai Motor facility under construction in the US state of Georgia have been detained, causing production at the site to grind to a halt.
The development of the Hyundai car battery factory is a major blow to Georgia, as the project is part of the biggest investment in the state.
It comes as President Donald Trump continues to crack down on immigration, despite backlash from millions against the tactics used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
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Work at the Hyundai battery facility has been halted following a massive ICE raid
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Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other agencies were present in the raid.
Posting on social media site X, ATF Atlanta said a "major immigration enforcement operation at the Hyundai mega site battery plant in Bryan County, GA, leading to the apprehension of ~450 unlawful aliens".
The battery production facility is a joint venture between LG Energy Solutions and Hyundai Motor, with plans for the site to be operational by the end of the year.
Hyundai Motor confirmed that the raid did not impact its production of electric vehicles at the site in Georgia.
ATF Atlanta reported that around 450 workers had been detained at the plant
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It added that it was "cooperating fully" with the authorities about the raid at the construction facility, noting that it had paused work to assist.
Speaking to media following the raid, Steven Schrank, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations for Georgia, confirmed that arrests had been made.
Similarly, an agent from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said agencies "conducted a judicially authorised enforcement operation" while investigating unlawful employment practices.
A report from Korean media stated that around 30 nationals from South Korea had been detained.
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Reacting to the raid, the South Korean Government said the rights of its detained citizens must not be violated, as "many" of its nationals had been detained.
Lee Jae-woong, a spokesperson for the South Korean Foreign Ministry, said workers for Korean companies investing in the United States must not be "unduly violated".
A spokesperson for LG said: "We are closely cooperating with the South Korean government and relevant authorities to ensure the safety of our employees and staff at contractors, and to secure their swift release from detention."
The statement added that it was providing "all necessary support", including interpreters and legal assistance.
Hyundai officially opened the manufacturing plant in Georgia earlier this year
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The Megaplant America was officially opened in March earlier this year, with the vehicle assembly and battery plant expected to produce up to 500,000 electric and hybrid vehicles annually.
Hyundai's investment in Georgia related to joint battery ventures with LG Energy Solution and SK On is worth a staggering $12.6billion or £9.3billion.
The Megaplant America is located in Ellabell, less than 30 miles west of Savannah, and employs around 1,400 people.
According to NBC affiliate WSAV of Savannah, hundreds of undercover law enforcement vehicles were seen at the scene, alongside large buses.