S. Koreans greeted with applause at home after US detention

Incheon, South Korea: Hundreds of South Korean workers were greeted by applause and tearful relatives Friday when they returned home after being tangl...

Incheon, South Korea: Hundreds of South Korean workers were greeted by applause and tearful relatives Friday when they returned home after being tangled in a US immigration row that cast a shadow over massive Korean investments in the United States.

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

Officials from South Korea's government applauded as the 310 workers stepped off the chartered flight at Incheon airport, while some of the workers shouted "freedom" and "I'm back!" at the arrival gate.

When the engineers finally appeared, waiting families broke into tears and embraced their loved ones after nearly a week without contact and a roller coaster of emotions.

Outside the gate, a large monitor read "Welcome home, fellow Koreans."