Canada and other countries are urging travelers to South Korea to exercise caution after the country was briefly placed under martial law Tuesday night, sparking protests and democratic chaos.
President Yoon Suk-yul declared martial law on Tuesday evening, accusing the opposition that controls parliament of sympathizing with communist North Korea, and military forces quickly descended on the National Assembly.
Angry lawmakers voted to repeal the decree hours later, and the government officially lifted the order Wednesday morning during a Cabinet meeting to comply with South Korean law.
However, protests continued in Seoul, with demonstrators calling for Yoon’s impeachment and arrest.
Canada updated its travel advice Tuesday afternoon, urging those in the country to exercise caution, avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, monitor local media for the latest information, and follow authorities’ instructions, including curfew orders.
But Canada has not changed its overall risk level, saying travelers can still take normal security precautions.
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Hyung-gu Lin, AECL/KEPCO Chair for Korean Research in the Department of Asian Studies at the University of British Columbia, told Global News in an email that he expects mass demonstrations and protests to continue after martial law is lifted.
He said this would likely cause logistical and transportation challenges for tourists in Seoul, including the areas around the presidential and National Assembly offices.
The protests on busy Sejong-daero Street in downtown Seoul “will likely have the greatest impact on tourists due to its central location and proximity to several major tourist sites,” Lin wrote.
The United States and the United Kingdom also urged residents who want to travel to or are in the East Asian country to exercise caution.
The warnings issued by these countries are similar to those issued by Canada, asking travelers to avoid political demonstrations and follow the instructions of local authorities. People are also advised to take out appropriate travel insurance if they choose to travel as it should cover planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
The US State Department said, “The situation remains fluid and American citizens should expect potential unrest.” he wrote in a post on X.
The United States also said it had canceled routine consular appointments for citizens and visa applicants scheduled for Wednesday.
At least three countries in the European Union have also provided similar guidance for travellers.
Bulgaria, Latvia and Ireland urged residents to be vigilant and avoid areas where public demonstrations or large gatherings are taking place.
Latvia also stressed in its warning that people who do not comply with various restrictions may be detained, searched and arrested.
—With files from Global News’ Sean Boynton, The Associated Press and Reuters
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