Kim Hyun-tae, head of South Korea’s elite 707th Special Mission Group, has publicly apologized for deploying troops to the National Assembly. The act sparked widespread public outrage and investigation after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law on December 3.
During a press conference at the war memorial in the Yongsan district of central Seoul, Kim took full responsibility for sending troops to prevent lawmakers from entering the assembly, according to Korea JoongAng Daily.
Kim said, “I was the one who ordered the soldiers to go towards the National Assembly and break the windows and go inside.” He expressed deep regret and said, “I am an incompetent and irresponsible commander. I pushed the unit to the brink. There is no fault of the soldiers. If they are guilty of anything, it is following the orders of an incompetent commander.”
Kim, who commanded 197 soldiers to confront roadblocks created by those attempting to reach the National Assembly, described the soldiers as “your sons and daughters who love this country” and called them former Defense Minister Kim Jong-un labeled him as “the most pitiful victim”. -Hyun, who resigned on December 4 – resignation accepted by President Yoon the next day.
The emergency martial law, which lasted only six hours, had significant political and military consequences. On December 8, military prosecutors sought an emergency travel ban for Kim and 10 personnel, including army chief General Park En-su.
The government also imposed a foreign travel ban on President Yoon as prosecutors deliberated on possible rebellion charges related to his failed martial law attempt. The measure, confirmed by the corruption investigation office on December 9, adds to the turmoil surrounding Yun’s administration, according to CNN.
This sequence began with President Yoon’s announcement on December 3, which led to nationwide protests. Protesters gathered outside the National Assembly demanding Yun’s resignation and defying military orders. Lawmakers overcame the approximately 300 soldiers stationed at the assembly at night and voted unanimously to repeal the decree – an act that effectively overturned the presidential directive.
