FILIPINOS IN SOUTH KOREA LIVING NORMALLY AFTER SHORT-LIVED MARTIAL LAW

Pinoys in South Korea has returned to normal living and operations after a short declaration of martial law according to the Embassy (Photo courtesy of Agence France-Presse)

Filipinos living and visiting South Korea are living normally according to Philippine Ambassador to Korea Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared “emergency martial law” on Tuesday and lifted it early Wednesday after the parliament voted against it.

The Philippine Embassy in South Korea issued an advisory on Wednesday morning, advising Filipinos in South Korea “to remain calm amid the important developments in the country. Remember to follow the instructions that local authorities will issue.”

President Yoon Suk Yeol announced martial law “To safeguard a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by North Korea's communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements plundering people's freedom and happiness.”

Yoon did not give details of the North's threats, but the South remains technically at war with nuclear-armed Pyongyang. “Our National Assembly has become a haven for criminals, a den of legislative dictatorship that seeks to paralyze the judicial and administrative systems and overturn our liberal democratic order.”

The martial law order was lifted hours after the National Assembly voted to revoke it and withdrew the troops stationed at the Assembly compound.

It is the first time since 1980 that martial law was declared in South Korea. Yoon’s move have since sparked a fierce backlash and calls for him to step down. 

The Philippine Ambassador said that the situation and operations in the country has returned to normal. South Korea is host to some 68,000 Filipinos, some of whom called the embassy with travel concerns after Yoon’s shock announcement.

For Filipinos travelling planning to entry or exit South Korea, it is said that travel is unimpeded. Instead, they are urged to take extra precautions amid the political tension in the region.

“We wouldn’t advise them to cancel their trips, but we will tell them to be very circumspect and careful and take precautions, especially when they are abroad. There’s no war, that’s what’s important so we will just advise those traveling to take precaution if they want to push through with their trips,” said de Vega.

“Please refrain from any assemblies or various protests. Just go about your regular business,” he added.

Source: ABS-CBN News 

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