The Korean entertainment industry is on edge following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law in South Korea on Dec. 3.
Korean media outlet TenAsia reported that due to the martial law, festivals and events across South Korea have been canceled one after another.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (Photo from the website of the Office of the President)
It added that the Korean entertainment industry is predicting that it is uncertain whether concerts at the end of the year will be held.
The report added that artists from major entertainment companies are receiving continuous calls to refrain from attending events starting on Dec. 4.
"We don't know what kind of disaster we will face if we hold events under martial law,” an industry insider told TenAsia.
The entertainment industry is on edge as there are no examples of how it responded during a similar situation.
President Yoon’s martial law declaration is the first in South Korea in 44 years since 1980.
A representative of an entertainment company said,"We are monitoring the situation in real time. This is a state of emergency."
The martial law command issued a proclamation putting all media and publications under its control.
The order also prohibited all political activities, including activities of the National Assembly, local assemblies, and political parties, political associations, rallies, and demonstrations.
Under Article 77 of South Korea’s Constitution, “When it is required to cope with a military necessity or to maintain the public safety and order by mobilization of the military forces in time of war, armed conflict or similar national emergency, the President may proclaim martial law under the conditions as prescribed by Act.”
“When the National Assembly requests the lifting of martial law with the concurrent vote of a majority of the total members of the National Assembly, the President shall comply,” according to the law.