Hundreds of South Koreans detained in a US immigration raid flew out on Thursday, after a stunned Soul warned that the "bewildering" episode could have a chilling effect on future investment.

South Koreans made up the majority of the 475 people arrested last week at a Hyundai-LG battery factory site in the state of Georgia, triggering a delicate effort to resolve the thorny situation between close allies.

A specially chartered Korean Air Boeing 747-8I plane was seen flying out of Atlanta after South Korea said it resolved the standoff. President Donald Trump's administration remained tight-lipped.

Photographs run by the Yonhap news agency showed the workers smiling and waving as they boarded buses after days in US detention.

South Korea is a staunch security ally and major investor for

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