Hong Kong travel agencies have started adjusting their itineraries for trips to Korea due to ongoing protests, with some reporting a significant drop in inquiries and bookings—up to 30 percent in recent weeks.
Steve Huen Kwok-chuen, executive director of EGL Tours, shared on Monday that while the political unrest in Korea had not greatly impacted their tours, they had made changes to their travel schedules. “We avoid certain areas that have been affected by protests,” Huen explained. He pointed to areas in Seoul, including Yongsan district near the Office of the President and the Sungnyemun Gate in Jung district, where demonstrations had previously taken place.
Despite the changes, Huen noted that customers have been understanding, and no complaints have been received so far. Two of EGL Tours’ groups had just returned to Hong Kong, and upcoming tours for the rest of January would continue as planned.
Korea has been experiencing political unrest since early December, when President Yoon Suk Yeol announced martial law, only to reverse it six hours later. Yoon was later impeached, and efforts to arrest him last week were blocked by his security forces.
Over the past weekend, large numbers of protesters—both supporting and opposing Yoon—gathered in front of his residence and on major roads in Seoul, calling for either the impeachment to be reversed or for his arrest. The arrest warrant for Yoon expired on Monday.
