Not Much Fun In Seoul With “Level 3” Alert.

It’s not going to be much fun for ordinary tourists planning to visit Seoul in the weeks leading up to the 11th and 12th of November. The Joint Chiefs of Staff of the ROK have already declared the highest state of alert i.e. Level Three, for the country in preparation for the fifth G20 Summit. In fact, a travel alert has been issued by the US State Department for its citizens for this period.

 Heightened security measures are already in place as the capital braces itself to play protective and gracious host to 10,00 participants including 32 heads of state ( including Presidents Obama and Hu Jintao ) or of international organizations ( such as Ban Ki Moon but Bill Gates has declined an invitation to this prominent power party).






So why won’t it be fun?

1. You’d probably be stuck in longer, slower-moving queues as immigration officials scrutinize very carefully your passports and visas before they admit you into the country at the international airports, international sea terminals and even small harbours.

2. Getting out of the country will also be a tedious process as travelers have been warned to arrive three hours before departure for international flights.

3. Expect disruptions to your travel plans as historically, G 20 Summits have been plagued with demonstrators clashing with anti-riot police.

4. If not, you may find yourself stuck in a bus or worse, a taxi ( with the meter ticking) behind a barricade while the VIPs whizz past in their official limousines under heavy police protection.

5. Even if you opt for the subway, you can expect them to be more crowded as Seoulites have been encouraged to leave their cars at home.

6. Forget about getting near the COEX Convention Hall, the venue for the G20 Summit. For that matter, avoid getting within a 2.2 km-radius of the COEX unless you fancy being quizzed by security personnel. Plan your route well so that you don’t get caught between a group of unruly demonstrators and water cannons.

7. As for the tourist attractions, please note that a special 3-day tour, starting on the 9th of November, has been arranged for around 2000 international reporters. Don’t be surprised if Seoul attractions seem more crowded than usual at that time. Seoul will also take the G20 participants on weeknight tours around the city so don’t hold your breath for lighter traffic in the evenings.

So, here's the best time to explore other parts of the country if you're not on the G20 guest list.
Head south for Suncheon, Gyeongju or Andong, for instance. Better still, book your airticket for Incheon after the 12th of this month.

Sources:
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?No=76865&id=Dm
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?No=76819&id=Dm
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?No=76820&id=Dm
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?No=76773&id=Dm
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?No=76759&id=Dm
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?No=76713&id=Dm
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?No=76622&id=Dm
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?No=76546&id=Dm
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?No=76303&id=Dm
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Dm_detail.htm?No=76303&id=Dm
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/11/02/2010110200969.html
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/10/19/2010101900348.html
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/10/28/2010102800984.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_G-20_Seoul_summit
http://hello.news352.lu/edito-69808-skorea-to-set-up-security-fences-at-g20-summit.html