The leader of a special forces unit that was deployed to the National Assembly after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday says its members were “victims” of former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun.

Colonel Kim Hyun-tae, the commander of the 707th Special Mission Group under the Army Special Warfare Command, made the remarks Monday at a press conference outside the War Memorial of Korea, near the presidential office and the defense ministry headquarters in Seoul. 

Kim Hyun-tae said the unit’s commandos were “victims who were used by the former defense minister.”

Calling himself an incompetent, irresponsible commander, the colonel said the commandos did nothing wrong and only followed his orders. 

He added that he will take legal responsibility for the situation and leave the military as a soldier in a democratic, rule-of-law country.