Just before midnight, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun made an attempt on his life in the Seoul Dongbu Detention Center.
Seoul:
Shortly before being officially detained, Kim Yong-hyun, the former South Korean defense minister who is suspected of being a key player in the unsuccessful declaration of martial law on December 3, attempted suicide. 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 attempted suicide in the restroom by utilizing a string from his clothing.
The former defense minister committed suicide using underwear, according to a Reuters report, but he was being watched and his life was not in danger at the moment.
In connection with President Yoon Suk Yeol’s temporary imposition of martial law, Mr. Kim is being investigated 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.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Army Special Warfare Command chief Kwak Jong-geun informed lawmakers that President Yoon had instructed him to prevent enough MPs from gathering in parliament to vote against the martial law decree.
On Wednesday, the investigation into Mr. Yoon took a dramatic turn as South Korean police raided the President’s office. Yoon is already under a travel ban as part of an “insurrection” investigation targeting his inner circle following his brief suspension of civilian rule on December 3.
The President has not been seen in public since issuing an apology on Saturday for attempting to impose martial law.
In addition to the former Defence Minister, two senior police officials were also taken into custody early Wednesday as the probe into the political crisis triggered by the martial law declaration intensified.
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Meanwhile, the leadership crisis deepened, with growing uncertainty over who is governing the country. The main opposition party is planning a second impeachment vote in parliament on Saturday, with some members of President Yoon’s People Power Party (PPP) also expressing support for the motion, which failed in an initial vote on December 7.
