Soldiers try to enter the National Assembly building in Seoul on December 4 2024, after South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. Jung Yeon-je, AFP 

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law on Tuesday night, citing a political standoff with the opposition over the national budget. 

Filipinos in South Korea are still determining the situation and what actions they should take.

The declaration of martial law came unexpectedly, according to ABS-CBN News correspondent Joeffrey Maddatu Calimag, who is currently in Busan. 

Calimag said that most people were not expecting it as it was announced almost at midnight.

“Sa ngayon una sa lahat, nabigla ang mga tao kasi unannounced yung declaration… [tapos] almost midnight na nag declare… So lahat ng mga tao nasa loob ng mga bahay,” he said, adding that the cold weather conditions, typical of winter, may have influenced the current response of the people.

Calimag indicated that he and several other Filipinos became aware of the martial law declaration through news alerts and social media updates. 

He mentioned that a group chat with fellow Filipinos in South Korea has served as an important platform for discussions on the situation.

“Nagtatrabaho ako ngayon [tapos] yung group chat ng mga pinoy which is continuously [sending alerts and messages]. Ako nakikita ko sa news, nakita [ko] sa monitor, [sa] nag flash na mga news,” Calimag said. “Nakita ko siya through internet tapos ano, sa internet tinignan ko detalye.”

“Meron kaming natanggap sa aming mga phones emergency messages kaya na alarm din… Nakuha [din ang] info sa mga ano, alerts sa lahat ng nangyayari sa Korea sa mga news lang [nakita],” he added.

Although he has been receiving emergency alerts, he also noted that there has not been any official updates from either the South Korean government or the Philippine Embassy and relevant authorities in the area.

Despite the nature of the announcement, Calimag noted that life in South Korea seemed largely remaining unchanged for now as there are no clear guidelines yet and everything seems normal.

“Wala pa official na nilalabas wala pa binibigay… Normal pa rin buhay ng tao [dito sa South Korea],” said Calimag.

In a televised address on Tuesday, President Yoon justified the declaration by accusing opposition forces of “anti-state forces intent on overthrowing the regime” amid parliamentary wrangling over a budget bill.

South Korea president declares emergency martial law

"To safeguard a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by North Korea's communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements plundering people's freedom and happiness, I hereby declare emergency martial law," Yoon said in a live televised address to the nation.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega commented on the recent proclamation of Martial Law in South Korea.

He emphasized the hope for the maintenance of peace and order, as well as a swift return to normalcy in the region.

“We are hoping for the maintenance of peace and order and for a return to normalcy… Filipinos in Korea should keep calm and follow local Advisories,” he stressed.

For now, both the Filipino community in South Korea and international observers are waiting for further developments as authorities have yet to clarify the full scope and impact of the declaration. - with reports from Agence France-Presse