Is it Safe to Travel to South Korea Now?
South Korea’s democracy was shaken in Dec 2024 when President Yoon Suk Yeol unexpectedly declared martial law. Despite protests on the streets of Seoul, tourism remains largely unaffected. However, visitors should remain mindful of the situation, as emotions run high and strong local sentiments are at play.
What went down on Dec 3?
On the evening of Dec 3, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol threw the country into turmoil after a rash decision to declare martial law—suspending civil law and putting the country into a militarised lockdown.
Yoon claimed it was to protect the country from North Korea’s communist forces and is now facing impeachment charges for what is seen as an undemocratic power grab. Members of parliament rushed to the National Assembly to vote against the martial law, wrestling past the military forces blocking the building.
There were scuffles between the armed military, protestors and opposition party members, but there were no arrests or injuries.
The martial law was voted down after only two hours. Al Jazeera notes that it was the shortest martial law in history.
South Korea’s parliament voted to impeach Yoon on Dec 14. The Constitutional Court has six months to decide whether to reinstate him or permanently remove him from office. If it is the latter, a new election will be called. Yoon's Conservative People Power party remains in power, although he is suspended from office.
Travel and Safety Updates
Countries are urging caution for travellers, the UK’s foreign office has noted that the political situation is ongoing and tense, with demonstrations expected in Seoul around Gwanghwamun, the Presidential Office (Samgakji) and the National Assembly (Yeouido).
International embassies, including those of Australia, the Philippines, and Canada, have advised avoiding protest areas and remaining vigilant. The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs has issued a more general recommendation to exercise normal precautions.
There are no flight suspensions and borders remain open. Museums, restaurants and cultural centres are operating within normal hours.
Our friends at in the area have advised us that there are no current restrictions on events, but stress that the culture section remains cautious.
A petition by artists demanding Yoon's resignation from South Korea's artist sector garnered over thousands signatures in a few days. "The task our society faces from Yoon Seok-yeol’s attempted rebellion is to directly face the fact that democracy can collapse at any time," reads the statement. "We must once again think fiercely about what democracy is in 2024, not in the 1960s, 1970s, or 1980s. If we do confront face the possible collapse of democracy from the night of December 3, 2024, we will soon fall in a more terrible way than this night."
This turbulent time represents a tense time in South Korea, and visitors should be mindful of strong local sentiment.
Know The Context
South Korea returned to democracy in 1987—for many of the country’s older generations, the night brought back fear of the country’s authoritarian past.
After staging a coup and seizing power in 1979, military leader Chun Doo-hwan declared martial law in 1980, ushering in a period of censorship, oppression and violence. In the southwestern city of Gwangju, students protesting against martial law were met battered by military forces, and over 200 civilians were killed.
This week, protesters held a candlelight vigil in defence of democracy; many fearing a repeat of what occurred during the dictatorship.
Even for younger generations who were born into democracy, the scars of the dictatorship remain embedded in their upbringing. As journalist Haeryun Kang wrote in a Guardian op-ed:
”We joked about how our parents, seasoned veterans of martial law, were already heading to bed, while the kids stayed up in frantic fear. But behind the jokes, Yoon triggered a deep-seated historical trauma shared by millions of South Koreans, both old and young. Those who lived through decades of dictatorship remembered their terror. Those like me who have never experienced it remembered the terror in the stories we have been told.”
While tourism activities remain open—please stay informed and respectful of local sentiment at this time.
Travel advice:
Australian Embassy in South Korea
Resources & information:
Book: Human Acts by Han Kang
Harrowing novel on the events of the 1980 student massacre in Gwangju, based on true events and real people by 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature winner, Han Kang.
Book: I’ll Be Right There by Kyung-Sook Shin
A heart-wrenching novel explores the experiences of three friends in 1980s Korea.
Film: 1987: When The Day Comes
A film detailing murder and oppression during the dictatorship, and the search for truth.
News Sources:
The Guardian: Martial law came to South Korea – and my friends and I doomscrolled through the night Op-Ed: Haeryun Kang
BBC - video: How two hours of martial law unfolded in South Korea
NY Times: Opposition Grows. to South Korea's President as He Faces Impeachment: