Despite the unexpected declaration and rapid reversal of martial law in South Korea, Singaporean travelers and tour agencies have reported minimal disruptions, with most continuing their plans as scheduled.
On the night of December 3, Singaporean tourist Denise, 30, was walking through Seoul’s Yongsan district when South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol imposed martial law at 11 p.m. Although the measure was lifted within hours, Denise said she felt safe, only noticing the sound of helicopters and the calm demeanor of the locals. “It’s very peaceful here,” she shared, noting that she stayed informed by checking in with friends and registering her location with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
Like Denise, other Singaporeans in South Korea expressed little concern about the situation, which was sparked by Yoon’s controversial decision and triggered protests calling for his resignation. The martial law, the first in over 40 years, was quickly overturned after massive public outcry and political resistance. Protestors continued to rally, demanding Yoon’s impeachment.
For many, the atmosphere in Seoul remained unchanged. Zachary Wu, 35, traveling with a group, acknowledged a brief moment of anxiety but noted that life continued as usual. His group proceeded with plans to travel for day trips, although they planned to stay indoors by 10 p.m. as a precautionary measure.
Student Matthias Ong, living in Seoul for seven months, was relieved that the martial law was reversed swiftly, especially as he had tickets to see Dua Lipa’s concert. “It was more a feeling of surprise and uncertainty,” Ong admitted, adding that his university had confirmed that the academic term would proceed as planned.
Brandon Yap, an international disputes lawyer based in Seoul, echoed these sentiments, saying that it was “business as usual” for him. “Nothing was happening around me, so I felt pretty safe,” he remarked, despite his phone ringing with inquiries from concerned friends and family.
Tour Agencies Continue Operations
Despite the brief turbulence, travel agencies reported no major disruptions. Chan Brothers Travel assured that its current tours in South Korea were unaffected, with guides on the ground providing real-time updates and detouring around potential protest areas. “All our upcoming tours will proceed as scheduled,” said assistant director Jeremiah Wong, noting that the agency continues to monitor the situation closely.
Nam Ho Travel, which has tourists currently in South Korea and additional groups scheduled for later in December, also reported no immediate concerns. A representative stated that they would adjust plans if necessary, depending on official advisories.
Hahnemann Travel and Tours, which is scheduled to send a group of 20 to Seoul next week, said it was in regular contact with its local partners in South Korea. Operations lead Mohamed Ahmad confirmed that there were no changes to their itinerary at this time but emphasized that safety remains a priority.
Airlines Report No Disruptions
Both Korean Air and Singapore Airlines (SIA) confirmed that flights between Seoul and Singapore were operating on schedule. “SIA and Scoot will continue to monitor the situation and will adjust our flights accordingly,” said a spokesperson from Singapore Airlines, stressing the safety of passengers and crew.
While the political unrest in South Korea has led to calls for President Yoon’s impeachment, the situation remains largely under control, with travelers continuing to explore the country with minimal interruptions.
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