In Seoul, Filipinos told to stay calm

AMID the brief declaration of martial law in South Korea, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul urged Filipinos in the country to remain calm amid what they called "important events." In an advisory on its Facebook page on Wednesday morning, the embassy urged Filipinos to follow advisories released by Korean authorities. Photo from Philippine Embassy in Korea "The Philippine embassy will continue to provide updates or announcements over the situation in Korea," the message said. In a separate announcement, the embassy also said it remained open for regular operations. Over 60,000 Filipinos live in South Korea, while according to the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 206,529 Filipinos visit their country. Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Maria Theresa Dizon-de Vega said the situation in South Korea was normal, and there were no major street protests."[It's] business as usual, schools are open, all forms of public transport are also open and airports operating. Embassies are open," she said in a text message to the Philippine News Agency. In a separate radio interview, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migration Eduardo Jose de Vega clarified that no alert level was hoisted in South Korea, as well as an advisory discouraging travel to the country. Yoon declared an emergency martial law at 10:23 p.m. Tuesday (local time) as he accused the opposition of "anti-state" activities. After the National Assembly voted to revoke the martial law past 1 a.m. Wednesday, he lifted the decree and withdrew the troops stationed at the Assembly compound. Yoon's move has since sparked a fierce backlash and calls for him to step down.