Instability in South Korea could impact the US both geopolitically and economically, CNN military analyst says

Instability in South Korea could impact both the United States’ geopolitical power and the economy, CNN military analyst Cedric Leighton said.

“This is a dangerous moment, because any instability in South Korea is currently going to affect our ability to project power from a military standpoint in the Indo-Pacific,” he told CNN.

Thousands of US troops are stationed in South Korea. The US also has “a lot of business connections (and) economic connections in South Korea,” Leighton said.

“This mark of instability is something that is not only deeply concerning, but it could have an impact on world markets. It could have an impact on our ability to conduct military operations, not only in Asia, but other parts of the world as well,” he said.

South Korean stocks tumbled late Tuesday local time after President Yoon Suk declared martial law.