Australia advises travelers about political situation in South Korea after president's impeachment

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The Australian government has issued a travel warning for South Korea over the Constitutional Court’s ruling on impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol.

On 3 December, Yoon briefly declared martial law, stunning South Koreans and . On 14 December, and was suspended from duties.

On Friday, South Korea’s Constitutional Court unanimously upheld the parliament’s ousting of Yoon from his former office.

Thousands of people at a rally calling for Yoon’s ouster, including hundreds who had camped out overnight, erupted into wild cheers on hearing the ruling, chanting “We won!”

Australian government issues travel warning

Ahead of the ruling, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smarttraveller website overall advice for South Korea remained the same, telling travellers to “exercise normal safety precautions”.

But a specific warning was issued in anticipation of the court’s decision.

“In response to the verdict, large crowds and protests are expected in Seoul and elsewhere around the country,” the warning said.

“Avoid large public gatherings and areas with significant police activity. Foreign nationals are generally not permitted to take part in domestic political activities when in South Korea.”

The Smarttraveller advice said crowds may be concentrated in the vicinity of the National Assembly (Yeouido), Gwanghwamun Square, the Constitutional Court (Anguk) and other district court buildings, near the Presidential Office (Samgakji) and Presidential Residence (Hannam-dong) and, on university campuses.

It also warned of travel disruptions.

“Be prepared to change your travel plans in case of disruptions. Monitor the media for updates and follow the advice of local authorities,” the warning said.

A woman wearing a black New York Yankees cap and a white shirt stands with her arms aloft in a crowd of protestors.

Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol react after hearing the Constitutional Court’s verdict in Seoul. Credit: Han Myung-Gu / Getty Images

South Korean authorities braced for a potentially violent public reaction to the ruling, and security measures were taken in and around the Constitutional Court.

Police arrested a protester on Friday who broke a police bus window, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Months of protests have followed Yoon’s martial law declaration and it remains unclear if the political chaos will be eased by the court ruling.

It’s also unclear if will now accept the court’s ruling or continue their street protests.

Acting President Han Duck-soo issued an emergency order to maintain public safety, reiterating that there would be no tolerance of any form of violence, according to Yonhap.

The aftermath of the ruling

Now that Yoon’s impeachment has been upheld, South Korea will have to hold a fresh presidential election within 60 days.

Until then, Han Duck-soo will remain as acting president.

Whoever wins the election, the priority will be to bring stability to domestic politics and take on the daunting task of dealing with United States President Donald Trump.

Trump has been and demanding that South Korea pay more for American troops stationed there.

Tension on the Korean peninsula is also running high. Yoon took a hard line against North Korea, amid Pyongyang’s advances in military and space capabilities and warming ties with Russia.

South Korea suspended a military pact with the North meant to reduce military tension by curbing live-fire exercises along the border. The North’s constitution has designated South Korea as the principal enemy.

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