Former South Korean Defense Minister Attempts Suicide Amid Martial Law Investigation

An official reported that South Korea’s former defense minister, Kim Yong-hyun, attempted suicide. Kim Yong-hyun had previously accepted full responsibility for the president’s unsuccessful effort to impose martial law on the nation last week. According to Shin Yong-hae, the justice ministry’s correctional agency chief, who informed lawmakers, authorities discovered him during the attempt at his detention center on Tuesday night. Following President Yoon’s unexpected martial law order, Kim resigned last week, alongside other senior presidential personnel. He was initially detained on Sunday for questioning and subsequently formally arrested on charges of insurrection. Shin stated that Kim’s condition was stable after the incident. Kim is one of several high-ranking officials under investigation for their involvement in President Yoon’s brief martial law decree, which has provoked extensive public outrage across South Korea. This situation has led tens of thousands to protest in the streets, demanding the president’s resignation or impeachment. President Yoon himself is also under investigation for alleged insurrection. Although he has issued an apology for the martial law declaration, he has resisted increasing demands for his resignation. Kim, who was appointed defense minister in September, issued a statement on Tuesday, expressing that he apologised “deeply” and affirmed that “all responsibility for this situation lies solely with me”.