Just before midnight, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun made an attempt on his life in the Seoul Dongbu Detention Center.
Former South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is suspected of being a key player in the unsuccessful declaration of martial law on December 3, attempted suicide just before being officially placed under arrest. The defense minister had been in custody since Sunday after resigning last Thursday. On Tuesday, he was officially placed under arrest.
The commissioner general of the Korea Correctional Service stated during a parliamentary session that Mr. Kim attempted suicide just minutes prior to the announcement of his arrest.
According to an AFP report, Shin Yong-hae stated just before midnight that “Former Minister of Defense Kim Yong-hyun attempted suicide at the Seoul Dongbu Detention Center.”
According to the official, Mr. Kim used a string from his clothes to attempt suicide in the restroom.
According to a Reuters report, the former defense minister killed himself while wearing underwear.
Regarding President Yoon Suk Yeol’s temporary imposition of martial law, the former defense minister is under investigation on insurrection-related crimes. According to an AFP report, he was arrested on allegations of “abuse of authority to obstruct the exercise of rights” and “engaging in critical duties during an insurrection.”
According to the article, Kim was formally arrested because of worries that the evidence would be lost. According to the court spokeswoman, the former minister’s alleged offenses “fall within the scope of crimes for which the prosecution can initiate an investigation,” the statement was made early on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Mr. Kim expressed regret by claiming that “all responsibility for this situation lies solely with me” through his attorneys. His subordinates were “merely following my orders and fulfilling their assigned duties,” he added, adding that he “deeply apologised” to the South Korean people.
South Korea’s martial law
In what is thought to be a stable democracy, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol suspended civilian authority a week ago and dispatched special forces and helicopters to parliament before legislators compelled him to revoke the order. The nation was thrown into anarchy by the brief imposition of martial law.
Kwak Jong-geun, the head of Army Special Warfare Command, informed lawmakers earlier Tuesday that Yoon had given him instructions to prevent enough members of parliament from assembling to vote against the martial law order.
As the investigation into his declaration of martial law moves forward, South Korean police reported on Wednesday that they had raided the president’s office. Following his brief suspension of civilian rule on December 3, Mr. Yoon is already prohibited from traveling as part of a “insurrection” investigation into his close circle.
As the investigation into the political unrest brought on by the imposition of martial law accelerated, two senior police officers were also arrested in the early hours of Wednesday in addition to the former defense minister.
