On the evening of December 3, South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol suddenly declared an emergency martial law order, only to retract it a few hours later.
The long-term implications may herald a turning point in China-South Korea tourism relations.
During Yoon Seok-yeol's administration, bilateral relations remained tense, negatively impacting tourism between the two countries:
In January 2023, the South Korean government suspended the issuance of short-term visas for Chinese travelers and canceled plans to increase flights from China. Chinese flights were restricted to Incheon Airport, accompanied by discriminatory entry measures targeting Chinese tourists.
During this period, multiple Chinese visitors reported unreasonable treatment upon arrival in South Korea.
Lee Jae-myung, representing the Democratic Party, is seen as likely to adopt a more moderate approach to China, potentially continuing the cooperative policies of Moon Jae-in's era. This could pave the way for closer interactions between China and South Korea in the future.
