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The unit commander responsible for storming South Korea’s National Assembly during President Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial martial law declaration has publicly apologized.

Let’s bring you up to speed: Last week, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol shocked the nation by declaring martial law in a surprise late-night television address, citing alleged threats from “anti-state forces” and accusing the opposition Democratic Party of sympathizing with North Korea. He justified the move by arguing that it was necessary to counter perceived political destabilization, particularly the opposition’s motions to impeach top prosecutors and reject a government budget proposal. President Yoon’s move was met with immediate backlash. Within hours, lawmakers stormed past soldiers into the National Assembly to unanimously strike down the decree, forcing Yoon to revoke the order and triggering widespread protests and demands for his resignation.

What’s going on now: At a news conference, Col. Kim Hyun-tae, Commander of South Korea’s 707th Special Mission Group, delivered an apology, taking full responsibility for ordering his troops to storm the National Assembly during the brief martial law declaration. He said, “I ordered the deployment to the National Assembly. As the on-site Commander for the 197 troops involved, I was the first to arrive by helicopter. I instructed them to seal the building, engage in physical confrontations at the front and rear gates, break windows, and enter the premises.” Kim described his troops as “unfortunate victims who were exploited” and implored the public to direct their anger toward him, not the soldiers. He added, “They are not guilty. Their only fault lies in following the orders of an incompetent commander. Please forgive them.”

This all comes as investigations intensify into the events surrounding the martial law declaration, with President Yoon Suk Yeol becoming a central target of the investigation. The Corruption Investigation Office confirmed a travel ban on the president as prosecutors consider possible insurrection charges for his role in attempting to impose military control.

Former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun, who resigned amidst mounting public and political pressure, has already been arrested and is under investigation for alleged treason and orchestrating the deployment of troops to the National Assembly. Authorities are also examining the involvement of other senior officials in the controversial operation, as calls grow for Yoon’s resignation and suspension from duties to protect the nation from what opposition lawmakers have called “grave danger.”