Travel Alert Issued for South Korea's Northwestern Islands

(Dive Travel Business News - December 2, 2010) -- The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada is advising against all travel to the North-Western Islands (including Yeonpyeong-do, Daecheong-do and Baengnyeong-do) in South Korea due to rising tensions on the Korean peninsula,

Travelers to South Korea are advised to be vigilant, monitor ongoing developments, and follow the advice of local authorities. Travelers should exercise caution, avoid areas where demonstrations are being held and avoid confrontations with protestors as political, labour, and student demonstrations and marches can become confrontational or violent.

Just as South Korea was taking a few steps forward in realizing its ambition to become a global tourist destination, nuclear-armed North Korea's saber-rattling is threatening to set back those aspirations. On Nov. 23, North Korea fired multiple rounds of artillery shells at the island of Yeonpyeong, killing four people and injuring several more. An evacuation order has been declared for Yeonpyeong-do. The mounting tensions caused the Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq stock markets to plunge precipitously on Nov 24, 2010.

Earlier in March, North Korea reportedly torpedoed a South Korean warship, killing 46 sailors (North Korea still disputes the claims). And in June, North Korea, reportedly frustrated with ongoing propaganda campaigns out of the South, threatened to turn Seoul into a "sea of flame," according to news reports.

Between sharing a peninsula with North Korea, competing with China and Japan for attention and the prospect of a long-haul flight to get there, South Korea has its fair share of obstacles as far as vacation destinations go. Yet despite the odds, the buzz about South Korea keeps growing louder, and Seoul's recent designation by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design as the World Design Capital of the World is helping.  South Korea has had the highest growth in bookings for 2010 over 2009 among all Asia destinations.

With Asian travel experts calling Seoul the "new Tokyo",  an increasing number of American leisure travelers are choosing bustling Seoul, with its emerging contemporary art scene, music scene. Some travelers go further afield to relax in resort areas, explore ancient temples, visit the Demilitarized Zone and perhaps even venture over the border into North Korea which recently relaxed restrictions on visitors.

Dive Travel Business News contacted Russ  Krogh of Deep Blue Quest, a PADI dive facility located in Seoul, South Korea to get the view on the ground. Deep Blue Quest is considered the most experienced English speaking Dive Center in South Korea with over 10 years experience.

Commented Russ, "Yes, there is a little tension in the air around here.  But some of the best scuba diving area's in South Korea are located on the South East side and also on Jeju Island.  My staff and I will be conducting a tour this coming weekend (December 4-6) on Jeju Island.  All the dive centers here in South Korea are still running courses/tours.  So, I wouldn't worry to much, even the Korean Nationals are staying with their daily schedules".

Considered a top resort area, Jeju Island is a volcanic island (population 600,000) located off the southern tip of South Korea, about an hour from Seoul by plane to Jeju City, the island's main city.  The best diving is along the southern coast of Jeju, mostly off the port city of Seogwipo - another hour by bus from Jeju City.   Most of the diving out of Seogwipo are shore dives from the small islands just offshore, requiring a boat to get to these locations. 

The offshore volcanic islets have 60 metre walls covered with soft coral and 18 metre high kelp forests (March - May) . Diving here surprises the first timer as it is a combination of tropical and subtropical water that ranges from 15C to 27C  from winter to summer. Average visibility is 10m with best visibility occurring September - November. 

Topside there are nine natural attractions on Jeju that were recently added to UNESCO's list of world geoparks, including Mount Halla, Cheonjiyeon Waterfall and the lava dome at Mount Sanbang. 

As travelers become aware of the well-developed transportation and tourism infrastructure, striking scenery, exotic cuisine, relaxed culture and a history that ties together centuries of interaction with China, Japan, Mongolia and Russia, the common misconception that "there isn't much to see" in South Korea is quickly disappearing.

Additional Sources:
http://www.travelweekly.com/article3_ektid225406.aspx
 

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