South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol made a surprise announcement late Tuesday, declaring martial law and deploying troops to the main hall of the National Assembly. South Korea’s lawmakers convened in the early hours of Wednesday to block the martial law decree, with 190 of the 300 legislators passing a resolution to overturn it. At 4:30 a.m. local time, Yoon announced his acceptance of the parliamentary decision, rescinding the martial law order and withdrawing the troops.
Taiwan’s Cabinet spokesperson Li Hui-chih (李慧芝) confirmed that President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) has instructed the national security team to closely monitor the unfolding situation in South Korea. Speaking at the Legislature Wednesday morning, National Security Bureau (NSB) Director-General Tsai Ming-yen (蔡明彥) attributed the crisis to domestic political disputes in South Korea. He stated that the NSB is focused on assessing whether the crisis could have broader implications, including potential effects on the regional geopolitical landscape or the safety of Taiwanese citizens traveling in South Korea.
Given the ongoing uncertainty, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry has advised citizens in South Korea to avoid participating in political gatherings, rallies, or demonstrations and to steer clear of affected areas. Travelers in need of assistance are urged to contact the Taipei Mission in Korea at +82-10-9080-2761 or the Busan Office at +82-10-4537-7961.