The U.S. has strengthened its surveillance of North Korea amid the ongoing political turmoil in South Korea due to ROK President Yoon Suk-yeol’s brief imposition of martial law last week.

Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM ) Admiral Samuel Paparo said U.S. forces in the region are on a “heightened watch status” because of the “potential of opportunism of the North Koreans,” speaking on a panel at the Reagan National Defense Forum on Saturday. 

But despite experts’ concerns that the lack of a clear command structure due to the political crisis has left South Korea vulnerable, Paparo said he has