The Australian government has issued a travel warning for South Korea over its 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, rejecting most of his argument that he declared martial law to sound the alarm over the main opposition party’s abuse of its parliamentary majority, saying there were legal avenues to address disagreements.
Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae said Yoon’s declaration of martial law violated his duty as president, acting beyond his constitutional powers with actions that were “a serious challenge to democracy”.
Thousands of people at a rally calling for Yoon’s removal, 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 Smartraveller 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 Smartraveller 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.
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
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.
South Korean authorities braced for a potentially violent public reaction to the ruling, and security measures were taken in and around the constitutional court.
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.
Supporters of Yoon who were gathered near his official residence watched the ruling on a big screen in stunned silence. Some reacted in anger, with one protester arrested for smashing a police bus window, the Yonhap news agency reported. Others held their heads in hands and wept.
In a message delivered via his lawyers on Friday, Yoon said he was “so sorry and regretful” that he couldn’t live up to people’s expectations.
Acting President Han Duck-soo has 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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