1/ I thought I'd write about my experience re-entering South Korea, where I reside, during this global pandemic. It wasn't a 5 minute job like in London Heathrow where I was out in no time. Instead, it took 24 hours. Here's what happened:
2/ During flight, needed to fill out multiple forms incl. quarantine papers. Upon arrival in Incheon, immediate body temperature scan. As I was coming from the UK, quarantine official already had my name on list of a handful of people from hotspot UK/South Africa. Given lanyard.
3/ Next, I was told to throw away my KF-94 mask that I was wearing, replace it with their own even tighter twin strap 3M KF-95 mask, and made to wait to get tested for Covid-19 even though I already had a negative certificate. Test was carried out on the freezing windy tarmac.
4/ We were then taken to another waiting area with separate seating. Made to fill out more papers.
5/ Then went through immigration. Made to install quarantine app on phone, which includes entering passport number and valid telephone number. An official then called the phone number entered on the app to check it was real. More on app later. Violators of rules face deportation.
6/ Once through immigration, where they *also* checked my negative PCR test already done 2 days in the UK, we were escorted to collect our luggage. At all times, all officials were in full PPE.
7/ Next, we were escorted to a bus provided by emergency services.
8/ Arriving at the Incheon National Quarantine Facility Station, we were escorted to a waiting area, given a separate booth each, told to wait until test results came out at least 6 hours later.
9/ Aside from eating, masks to be worn at all times. Given dinner box a few hours later. Wasn't quite the countdown to 2021 I was expecting but people exclaimed happy new year at midnight.
10/ Towards 2 AM (9 hours later approx), people started receiving text messages saying their test results were negative. In fact, an official said that all those in the room were negative, but that some people incl. me had to have swabs re-examined (because from UK?).
11/ About five of us were then taken downstairs towards 4 AM, and isolated into individual negative pressure rooms (that basically prevent any potential virus from escaping, constantly sucking the air inside). Not a hotel, but can't complain.
12/ PPE dude comes in to check my temperature, and told me to wait another 10 hours until results come out. Finally some sleep after 36 hours.
13/ Breakfast was delivered at towards 7:30 AM on the table between the doors of the chamber. On the menu: egg mayo ham toast and diet banana milk. Actually my favourites!
14/ Then lunch arrived at midday, this dosirak lunchbox, again, delivered between the doors.
15/ Finally got the all clear negative result after lunch, told to wait for the nurse to come collect me. Given gloves, and made our way out back into a bus provided by emergency services. Escorted back to airport.
16/ Police were waiting for us at the airport, took the register of all those who had left quarantine, then brought us back into the airport in order to make arrangements to go back home for self-isolation. Assigned a taxi.
17/ Not just any taxi, a "quarantine taxi" separating the driver from passenger. Taken to doorstep. Cost 80,000 won, but little other choice (there's a "bus" service which is cheaper, but was not available and is less frequent).
From touchdown to home took well over 24 hours.
18/ Finally at home, was made to call local health centre to explain I had arrived and had already been tested. Those who are less at risk can leave airport and get tested in their local areas. Different people, different circumstances, different requirements.
19/ Regarding the quarantine app, need to diagnose oneself and enter results daily. I've heard stories of officials chasing you over the phone if you fail to enter data. Meanwhile, I'm stuck at home for 14 days. Cannot leave under any circumstance. Food/grocery deliveries fine.
20/ A reason for writing this thread is because I was appalled by the level of incompetence in the UK when I flew in a few weeks ago. Coming from "safe zone" S. Korea, I didn't need to self-isolate. Yet the flight back to the UK via Dubai was packed with maskless passengers.
21/ At Heathrow Airport, masses of people were all over the place without masks, *including* airport staff. Those who were wearing masks had them under their noses. Baggage collection was messy and a massive virus hazard. Felt vulnerable.
22/ 24 hours to get back home in S. Korea, even though a resident, were a little annoying given the lack of sleep etc, but I can't complain. It's necessary process to fight this virus.
Yet I see so many people and governments who are still clueless, namely the UK.
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1/ A few weeks after President Yoon declared martial law in December, I was able to read a military document detailing how martial law would have worked... has it been successful.
The content was so disturbing that I still have nightmares about it.
2/ This wasn't just a "warning" to the opposition as Yoon claims. The manual reveals extensive control measures had martial law been successful, including an extensive permit system for going out at night and driving.
3/ Public gatherings would have been regulated, and there would have been comprehensive surveillance. even weddings and funerals. Every aspect of civilian life would have been controlled had the martial law continued beyond those 6 hours.
2/ The court rejected Han's impeachment because his violations couldn't be "definitively determined to constitute betrayal of public trust" (국민의 신임을 배반한 경우에 해당한다고 단정할 수 없어).
This standard will no doubt apply to Yoon's case as well.
3/ Notably, the court completely avoided ruling on whether the martial law declaration itself was unconstitutional or constituted insurrection. It focused narrowly on Han's role, reserving these crucial determinations for Yoon's case.
BREAKING: South Korea's Constitutional Court has rejected the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, allowing him to immediately resume his duties and role as acting president during President Yoon's suspension.
In a split decision announced just now, 5 justices voted to reject the impeachment, 1 supported upholding it, and 2 argued the case should be dismissed.
1/ We find ourselves again not knowing when Yoon's impeachment verdict will be announced. So much speculation. Only the 8 justices know what's going on. Meanwhile, this endless guessing game continues as Korean media try to decipher every signal from the Constitutional Court:
2/ What we DO know: The court announced it will deliver Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment verdict on Monday 24 March. This is also the same day as President Yoon's criminal trial hearing at Seoul Central District Court for the insurrection charges.
3/ Also: Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung's election law violation appeal verdict is scheduled for Wednesday 26 March. Some believe the Constitutional Court wants to see this outcome before finalising Yoon's case, as it affects political landscape. imnews.imbc.com/replay/2025/nw…
1/ I just watched the German public broadcaster ARD's documentary about South Korea's martial law crisis. It’s both appalling and shocking. This isn't merely biased journalism, it's borderline unethical, functioning essentially as a mouthpiece for far-right conspiracy theorists.
2/ The documentary presents extreme views without any pushback whatsoever. It legitimises unfounded claims about Chinese/North Korean infiltration, election fraud, and a supposed "communist threat" from the opposition. All without critical examination. ardmediathek.de/video/phoenix-…
3/ Of the six main voices featured, five represent conservative or far-right viewpoints. Only one offers any counterbalance. The most extreme voices, including the notorious far-right pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, are presented as legitimate commentators rather than fringe figures.
1/ The impeachment proceedings against President Yoon are reaching their conclusion.
The Constitutional Court must determine if his December martial law declaration violated South Korea’s democratic order.
Here are the key questions the court must consider:
2/ First: was there legal basis for martial law? The Constitution only permits this during a state of war, internal turmoil or an equivalent emergency requiring military intervention to maintain public order.
3/ Yoon’s team argues that opposition’s “chain impeachments” and budget cuts had paralysed government function, creating a crisis. They also claim investigation of election fraud allegations was effectively impossible without emergency powers.