South Korea’s former defense minister attempted suicide after being arrested as a result of a martial law investigation

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The former defense minister of South Korea, Kim Yong Hyun, tried to kill himself while in prison because of the military president’s announcement before officials stopped him.

This, as the police raided the office of President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday during an investigation into the president’s announcement.

The main opposition Democratic Party plans to hold a second impeachment vote against Yoon on Saturday over his declaration of martial law after the first impeachment attempt failed last weekend.

Shin Yong Hae, commissioner-general of the Korea Correctional Service, told lawmakers Wednesday at a parliamentary committee meeting that Kim tried to kill himself overnight at a prison in the capital Seoul but the suicide attempt was unsuccessful after officials stopped him. .

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Kim is listed in stable condition.

Justice Minister Park Sung Jae also confirmed that Kim failed to attempt suicide during a parliamentary committee meeting.

Kim was arrested early Wednesday after a Seoul court issued a warrant for his arrest on suspicion of playing a key role in the coup and abuse of power. Kim became the first person to be officially arrested by the president’s December 3 military decree.

A close ally of Yoon, Kim is accused of recommending martial law to the president and sending troops to the National Assembly to prevent lawmakers from voting on the proposal. The lawyers finally managed to enter the parliament chamber, where they unanimously rejected Yoon’s announcement, forcing it to be removed a few hours after it was announced.

Prosecutors have up to 20 days to decide whether to indict Kim.

Cho Ji Ho, commissioner general of the National Police Agency, and Kim Bong-sik, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, were arrested for their actions during martial law for allegedly sending police to the National Assembly to prevent lawmakers from voting. .

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South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks at the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (AP)

The country’s law enforcement agencies are focusing on whether Yoon, Kim and others involved in the martial law system committed the crime of treason, which carries the death penalty.

Yoon, a conservative, apologized on Saturday for the declaration of martial law, saying he would not want to avoid legal or political responsibility for the proposal. He also said that he will leave it to his party to lead the country in its political upheavals, “including issues affecting my time in power.”

In declaring martial law, Yoon said he wanted to rebuild the country by eliminating “shameless North Korean sympathizers and anti-state forces,” criticizing his liberal rivals who control parliament.

Opposition groups and many experts said martial law was unconstitutional. It was the first time martial law had been imposed in South Korea in more than 40 years.

During a parliamentary hearing on Tuesday, Kwak Jong-keun, the commander of the Army Special Warfare Command whose soldiers were sent to parliament, revealed that Yoon called him and asked that the soldiers assigned to parliament “break down the door immediately and drag out the law enforcement officers inside. .”

Kak said he did not follow Yoon’s order.

Participants gather for a rally calling for the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, in front of the ruling People Power Party headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, December 10, 2024. (AP)

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Senior military intelligence officer Kim Dae-woo said at the same hearing that his superior, Yeo In-hyung, asked him if the military in Seoul had room to detain politicians and other people after martial law was declared. Yeo is considered to be close to Kim.

If Yoon is removed, his powers will be suspended until the Constitutional Court decides whether to remove him from office. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, South Korea’s second-in-command, will assume his presidential duties.

If the president is removed, an election to replace him must be held within 60 days.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.