Singaporeans in South Korea calm despite prospect of protests ahead of Yoon verdict

SINGAPORE - Singaporeans in South Korea appear to be unfazed by the prospect of large demonstrations taking place when the country’s Constitutional Court rules on

President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment on April 4.

Those whom The Straits Times spoke to plan to go ahead with their holiday plans, but some will take precautions, such as taking a day trip out of Seoul.

Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has urged Singaporeans to avoid areas in Seoul where the demonstrations are expected, namely around the Constitutional Court, Gwanghwamun, City Hall, the Presidential Office, the National Assembly and the Presidential Residence in Hannam-dong.

The demonstrations are expected to have an impact on tourists’ plans, with cultural sites such as Gyeongbokgung, the National Palace Museum of Korea and National Folk Museum of Korea announcing closures for April 4.

The annual Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival from April 4 to 8 has also been postponed due to Mr Yoon’s impeachment, as well as to prevent crowd crushes.

The court will decide at 11am local time (10am Singapore time) on April 4 whether to remove Mr Yoon from office over his short-lived bid to declare martial law on Dec 3. He has already been suspended by lawmakers and arrested on insurrection charges.

Graphic designer Sophenia Siew said she and a friend are still going ahead with plans to visit Anguk, home to Bukchon Hanok Village and cafes, on April 3.

Protesters opposed to Mr Yoon’s impeachment are expected to stage a rally near Anguk Station in the afternoon, while another group calling for his impeachment will rally in front of the station and march towards the Constitutional Court in the evening.

The 25-year-old, who has been vacationing in Seoul since March 31, said: “We’ll probably just play it by ear. If we see lots of police or closed-off areas, then we’ll likely just head somewhere else until past the weekend.”

Others, however, are taking more precautions. Miss Jumin Tan is considering remaining in her hotel on April 4, while Miss Megan Chu is planning to take a day trip out of Seoul to Suwon, which is a 30-minute train ride from the capital.

Singapore travel agency EU Holidays said it had to make adjustments for about 100 customers who were scheduled to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, which will be closed on April 4.

It confirmed that the overall itinerary will remain unaffected, as the tour group has at least two days in Seoul to reorganise its schedule. However, large-scale demonstrations and roadblocks have led to significant traffic delays.

“We will monitor the situation based on the April 4 verdict and make any necessary changes to ensure the safety of our passengers,” the EU Holidays spokesperson said.

The itineraries of Chan Brothers Travel tour groups in Seoul remain unaffected, and there have been no calls from concerned customers, said Ms Trista Foo, its senior marketing communications executive.

In a Facebook post on April 3, the Singapore Embassy in Seoul reminded Singaporean travellers that under South Korean law, it is illegal for foreign nationals to participate in political activities in that country.

The embassy also encouraged travellers to stay updated on the situation through local news and abide by the local authorities’ advice.

It added: “While demonstrations in South Korea are mostly peaceful, Singaporeans should prioritise safety by remaining vigilant and avoiding areas where demonstrations or large gatherings are taking place.”

South Korean police raised their alert level to the second-highest on April 3, with half the police force on emergency standby. The highest alert will be activated on April 4, mobilising the entire force for the situation. This includes some 14,000 riot police.

The Singapore Embassy said it will not be accepting consular appointments over the counter on April 4 and urged Singaporeans travelling to or residing in South Korea to e-register with the MFA.

It also noted that Anguk station will be temporarily closed on April 4, and that operating times for other major train stations and bus routes nearby may be adjusted or bypassed depending on the situation.

Protesters for and against Mr Yoon’s impeachment are set to hold overnight sit-ins on April 3.

This is the second safety advisory issued in two weeks by the Singapore Embassy in Seoul.

In a Facebook post on March 21, it had warned that larger-scale demonstrations were expected in Anguk, Gwanghwamun, Yeouido and Hannam-dong, and urged Singaporeans to also avoid areas with large crowds and ongoing protests.

Miss Jeanette Ong, 33, a content creator who lives in Seoul with her South Korean husband, said that she keeps receiving mobile notices and warnings from the local government urging them to stay away from areas of protests.

“Hearing from my Korean friends, it seems like no matter what happens, life still happens and go on tomorrow,” she said.