The Foreign Office has issued urgent travel warnings to Brits heading to South Korea after chaos erupted on Tuesday.
The UK urged for a “peaceful resolution” to the crisis in South Korea following the country’s president’s attempt to enforce martial law earlier today. Foreign Office minister Catherine West expressed the nation’s deep concern over Yoon Suk Yeol’s decision to suspend parliament and prohibit political gatherings amidst an ongoing battle with the main opposition party.
Yoon’s declaration of martial law faced criticism from both his opponents and members of his own party, leading to the South Korean parliament voting to lift the declaration less than three hours later. The president agreed to respect the National Assembly’s decision and revoke martial law.
As a result of the political turmoil, The British Foreign Office has issued travel warnings covering the entire country. The whole of South Korea is subject to an “advise against all but essential travel” alert, while three areas have been slapped with the most severe “advise against all travel” red warning. The cities impacted are Daegu, Gyeongsan and Cheongdo.
Minister Catherine West said that the British embassy in Seoul was keeping a close eye on the situation and maintaining communication with South Korean authorities. She further added: “We call for a peaceful resolution to the situation, in accordance with the law and the constitution of the Republic of Korea. British nationals in South Korea should continue to monitor and follow FCDO travel advice.”
On Tuesday, the Foreign Office updated its travel advice, cautioning British nationals to “follow the advice of local authorities” and “avoid political demonstrations”.
Yoon’s declaration comes in the wake of the South Korean president’s ongoing feud with the opposition Democratic Party, which managed to retain its majority in the country’s parliament in the April elections.
In a dramatic televised statement, the president has lambasted the opposition for having alleged sympathies with North Korea, claiming that enacting martial law is essential to “rebuild and protect” the nation from “falling into the depths of national ruin”.
He declared: “I will eliminate anti-state forces as quickly as possible and normalise the country.”
Furthermore, in a sweeping move under martial law, all political gatherings were banned, an ongoing doctors’ strike was forcefully ended, and individuals flouting the decree faced the prospect of arrest and detention without the need for a warrant.
However, National Assembly speaker Woo Won Shik denounced this declaration as “invalid”, citing the parliamentary vote to revoke martial law.
Following Mr Woo’s call for their withdrawal, forces that had previously barred entry to the parliament building were observed departing.
Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung has announced his party members will not leave the parliamentary premises until the president formally annuls the order, committing to “protect our country’s democracy and future… with our lives”.
In turn, Mr Yoon has signalled he will lift martial law after a cabinet session scheduled to take place shortly after the vote.