K-pop Companies Urged to Suspend Artists' Event Participation Following Martial Law Declaration in South Korea

With the sudden declaration of martial law in South Korea, the announcement garnered international coverage and affected the Korean music industry. As a result, entertainment companies were urged to suspend their artists' activities and event participation.

According to Korean news outlet TenAsia on December 3, President Yoon Suk Yeol's sudden declaration of martial law in the country led to the cancellation of numerous events and music festivals.

An entertainment industry insider shared that it is also uncertain whether year-end events will be held due to the situation's gravity.

"If events were held while martial law is in effect, we don't know what kind of repercussions we will face," the insider added.

The outlet also added that these cancellations were inevitable.

It revealed that entertainment industries have no blueprint on how to respond to such an event, as the last instance of martial law was declared way back in the 1980s.

An entertainment representative also shared, "We are monitoring the situation in real time" and clarified that the emergency was serious.

The emergency declaration of martial law was a response to protect South Korea's democratic order from pro-North Korean forces. However, six hours after the declaration, the president lifted martial law following intense public protests and backlash, including a massive call for his resignation.

On social media, prior to the lift, K-pop fans expressed their concern for everyone's safety in South Korea.