Former Defense Minister of South Korea Tries to Commit Suicide in Detention: Officials Report
Former South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun is under investigation for President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law on December 3.
Kim, accused of leading the short-lived martial law declaration, attempted suicide while in detention, according to the country’s Ministry of Justice on December 10. He used a shirt and underwear for the attempt, but his life is not in danger, the ministry reported.
The investigation is focused on insurrection and abuse of power allegations related to Yoon’s martial law declaration, the first of its kind since 1980. The declaration was reversed after just six hours, leading to widespread concern and protests across the country.
Prosecutors are looking into whether Yoon, Kim, and others involved in imposing martial law committed rebellion, which carries a maximum penalty of death. Kim allegedly recommended martial law to Yoon and deployed troops to the National Assembly to prevent lawmakers from voting on the decree.
Despite unanimous opposition from 190 out of 300 members of the National Assembly, Kim, a close associate of Yoon, resigned as defense minister in September amid the investigation. He was detained on December 8, banned from leaving the country, and formally arrested on December 11, becoming the first person arrested in connection with the martial law decree.
In a statement on December 10, Kim took full responsibility for the imposition of martial law and pleaded for leniency towards the participating soldiers. Prosecutors have 20 days to decide whether to indict Kim.
Yoon Apologizes for Martial Law Declaration
On December 10, South Korea’s parliament passed a bill appointing a special counsel to investigate Yoon’s attempt to impose martial law. The opposition party raised concerns about the impartiality of public prosecutors in conducting the investigation.
Yoon has apologized for the martial law declaration and pledged to face legal and political accountability for his actions. He has left his fate in the hands of his People Power Party amid the political turmoil in the country.
Despite calls for his resignation, Yoon has not stepped down and remains in charge of the military, as confirmed by Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon Ho on December 11.
Police detained National Police Agency Commissioner General Cho Ji Ho and Kim Bong-sik, head of Seoul’s metropolitan police, on December 10 for their alleged involvement in deploying police forces to the National Assembly to block lawmakers from voting.
Police attempted to search Yoon’s office for evidence related to the martial law introduction but faced obstacles due to disagreement with the Secret Service on the method of the search. Raids were also conducted at various police agencies and the National Assembly Police Guards’ offices.
Guy Birchall, Reuters, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
