Seoul: Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun ordered the deployment of troops to the National Assembly to prevent lawmakers from entering during a brief martial law period, Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho revealed on Thursday. This disclosure comes as South Korea grapples with the fallout from President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law declaration, which was revoked six hours later by an Assembly vote urging its withdrawal. According to Yonhap News Agency, Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho made the statement during a parliamentary session, addressing a lawmaker's inquiry. The crisis unfolded after President Yoon's unexpected martial law announcement late Tuesday, leading to widespread turmoil. In response to the situation, the presidential office announced Thursday that President Yoon accepted the resignation of Kim Yong-hyun, who had suggested the martial law declaration. Vice Minister Kim expressed his remorse, stating, "I once again express my deepest apologies to the people." He admitted to opp osing the troop deployment for enforcing martial law and acknowledged his failure to anticipate and prevent the situation. "I fully acknowledge my responsibility for this and will take full accountability," he added, noting that he first learned of the martial law through news reports. In response to questioning by Rep. Cho Kuk of the minor opposition Korea Rebuilding Party, Kim distanced himself from President Yoon's characterization of the Assembly as "a den of criminals," a term used during the martial law announcement. When asked about the origins of the martial law decree, Kim asserted that it did not originate from the defense ministry and declined to name the author. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su, appointed as the martial law commander, also claimed to have been informed of the declaration only after watching President Yoon's televised speech. Park explained that he comprehended the situation fully during a subsequent meeting with military commanders. He suggested a legal review of the decree b efore its public announcement, but Kim Yong-hyun assured him that it was unnecessary. Park further testified that he was unaware of whether the troops sent to the Assembly were equipped with live ammunition, emphasizing that he did not even know about the troop deployment. The revelation has intensified scrutiny over the decision-making process and the lack of communication within the military and government leadership during this critical period.