Despite the political unrest unfolding in Seoul, many tourists appeared unaffected as they continued to visit the city’s largest palace, historic landmarks, and popular shopping districts on Wednesday (December 4).
Some tourists woke up to concerned messages from friends and family who had heard about President Yoon Suk Yeol’s dramatic martial law declaration the previous night. Yoon had announced the emergency measure, aiming to eliminate “anti-state” forces after struggling to push his policies through a parliament controlled by the opposition.
However, the martial law lasted only about six hours, as the National Assembly voted to overturn the president’s decision, lifting the decree. With the situation settled, tourists proceeded with their plans, AP reported.
At Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest royal palace, visitors on early Wednesday morning donned traditional clothing rented from nearby shops, happily posing for photos.
Emma Basnawi, visiting from Indonesia, said she was initially concerned when she heard about the martial law declaration. “I thought ‘something big might happen,'” she admitted. But with protests and riots being common in Jakarta, she decided to continue with her travel plans without much worry.
:South Korea in crisis: President Yoon declares martial law amidst political turmoil
Stephen Rowan, from Brisbane, Australia, also expressed no concern as he walked towards the palace with a tour group. “I would have been concerned if martial law had stayed in place,” he noted, explaining that he had reached out to a South Korean friend for clarification.
Early in the day, police officers with shields arrived near the palace, an area historically known for protests. However, the atmosphere seemed largely normal, with tourists continuing to explore on a chilly December morning in Seoul.
Just a short walk from the palace, tour groups strolled through Bukchon Hanok Village, snapping photos of the beautifully preserved traditional homes in the residential area.
Elisabetta Munari, on holiday from Milan, Italy, took a morning hike up to Seoul Tower on Namsan Mountain for a panoramic view of the city. “A lot of people from Italy messaged me during the night while I was sleeping,” she shared. “But everyone here has gone to school and work today. Of course, I’m not heading into the city center, but I’m still around. I don’t think the situation is critical.”
The bustling streets of Insadong and Myeongdong, known for their shops and street vendors, were also filled with people. Geff Johnson, visiting from Sydney, Australia, and his friends were browsing through art galleries on Insadong’s main street. Although their tour to the demilitarized zone had been canceled due to the martial law, Johnson expressed confidence, saying, “I feel at ease because there are so many police officers around, and so many locals and tourists are out shopping.” For now, he said, everything seemed to be safe.