Investors weathered a geopolitical whirlwind on Tuesday — with a declaration of martial law by South Korea’s president sparking flows into haven assets, sinking the country’s currency and raising concerns about political unrest in a country that’s a key U.

The United States was not aware of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's intention to declare martial law, U.S. Secretary State Antony Blinken told Reuters on Wednesday, adding that he was anticipating speaking with his South Korean counterpart in the coming days.

South Korean lawmakers began impeachment proceedings against President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday after he briefly imposed martial law and then reversed course on that decision just hours later. Yoon claimed martial law was necessary to protect the country from "North Korea's communist forces" and to "eliminate anti-state elements.