South Korea says the US release of photos and a video of hundreds of Korean workers being arrested was regrettable, especially as the incident followed so closely after a summit between the two nations' leaders.

US immigration officials raided a Hyundai Motor car battery factory on Thursday, local time, and later released a video and photos of workers shackled at the wrists, waist and ankles getting on a bus after the raid.

The crackdown could risk damaging ties between Washington and Seoul, a key Asian ally and US investor, when the two are trying to narrow their differences and finalise a trade deal after a summit between President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.

First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo told US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs All

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