The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has assured the public that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in South Korea remain safe and that deployments to the country continue, following the lifting of a brief martial law declaration on 3 December.

DMW Undersecretary for Foreign Employment and Welfare Felicitas Q. Bay said the situation in South Korea is stable, with no travel restrictions imposed.

“There are no travel restrictions. Airlines have not informed us of any cancellations. Deployment is ongoing — it’s a government-to-government arrangement,” Bay said.

Bay’s statement comes as 51 OFWs under South Korea’s Employment Permit System (EPS) departed the Philippines on 2 December, just before the declaration of martial law. Additional batches of Filipino workers are set to leave for South Korea on 10 and 16 December.

Bay emphasized that Filipino workers in South Korea continue to work without disruption in factories, offices and other establishments. The universities are open and transport systems continue to operate.

Despite the situation returning to normal, the DMW’s assessment team continues to monitor the Filipino workers. No requests for repatriation have been reported among the estimated 66,000 Filipinos in South Korea, including 36,186 OFWs, most of whom are employed in the manufacturing sector.

Bay reminded Filipinos in South Korea to stay vigilant and avoid areas where protests may occur, particularly near the National Assembly.

“Do not go to areas where protests are happening,” she advised.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law on 3 December due to escalating tensions with North Korea but lifted it six hours later after the Parliament unanimously voted to cancel the measure.