South Korea: Heightened security for Trump visit Nov. 7-8 /update 2

Event

Authorities announced on Monday, November 6, that security will be heightened throughout Seoul in anticipation of protests during the state visit of US President Donald Trump on November 7-8. An additional 1600 police officers will be deployed throughout the city. In particular, a heightened security presence should be expected around the National Assembly on Wednesday, November 8, where President Trump is expected to speak. Authorities also reported that as of November 6, 109 protest rallies had been registered with the government for November 7-8. Localized transportation delays are to be anticipated in affected areas.

Context

On November 2, authorities banned protests near the presidential Blue House, and tightened public access to areas around the US Embassy in anticipation of over 200 protests that occurred on November 4 and 5. An estimated 5000 people participated in pro- and anti-American protests, which occurred without incident. Restrictions on protests in those areas remain in place for November 7-8.

The protests come after several weeks of increasingly bellicose statements from North Korean officials and Trump, who addressed the UN General Assembly on September 19, asserting that he would "totally destroy North Korea" if it threatened the US or its allies. Previous statements by Trump, joint US-South Korean military exercises, and sanctions issued by the UN Security Council have been followed by the North Korean regime carrying out missile test launches (e.g. September 15) and nuclear tests (e.g. September 3).

Advice

As a precautionary measure, individuals present in Seoul are advised to avoid all demonstrations; although the weekend's events are expected to remain peaceful, violence may flare up without warning.