"Martial Law Ended"... Japanese High School Students Coming for School Trip

Local Tourists Seem to Resume Domestic Travel
"No Major Disruptions Observed at Fukuoka Airport and Others"

After President Yoon Suk-yeol lifted the martial law within six hours, it appears that Japanese tourists have resumed traveling domestically. Japanese media reported that "there is no significant confusion at Fukuoka Airport and other locations."

Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun reported on the 5th (local time) that "a high school in Oita Prefecture, which was preparing for a group school trip, decided not to change its schedule."

The media stated that although there was some unrest in Japan following President Yoon's declaration of martial law on the 3rd, after it was lifted six hours later, local travel seems to be resuming.

Seoul Myeongdong bustling with Japanese and Chinese tourists last May. Photo by Yonhap News

A working woman who regularly travels between Japan and Busan by ferry said, "Upon hearing the news that martial law was lifted, I immediately contacted my family," adding, "(My family) appeared calm. Since the martial law ended within a few hours, it seems there will be no significant impact," conveying the situation in Korea to locals in Japan.

However, some tourists still seem concerned about the aftermath of domestic unrest, and because of this, there are tourists who say they "will not depart at night." A travel agency told the media, "We are currently collecting local information through our (Korean) branch and monitoring the situation."

A Japanese hotel chain operating subsidiaries in Seoul and Busan explained, "There is no impact on employees or guests, and work is proceeding as usual," but also noted, "The Seoul hotel branch experienced three reservation cancellations by 8:30 a.m. the day after the martial law declaration."

The martial law situation appears to be a hot topic even among Japanese people. Japanese netizens who heard the news responded with comments such as, "Whether martial law was lifted or not, I cannot understand traveling under such circumstances," "A friend living in Seoul says nothing has particularly changed. It doesn't seem especially dangerous," "Can we have serious diplomatic relations with a country where one party or regime controls everything?" and "Are Koreans okay with electing such politicians?"