South Korea’s Former Defense Minister Attempts Suicide Following Failed Martial Law Incident

Former South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun reportedly attempted to take his own life while in custody, according to the head of the country’s correctional service on Wednesday.

This incident comes amid a deepening political crisis following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief declaration of martial law, which has provoked significant public outcry.

In a separate development, South Korean police raided the presidential office on Wednesday as part of an expanding investigation into President Yoon’s controversial declaration of martial law, which has intensified political tensions in the country.

President Yoon Suk Yeol has been barred from leaving the country as prosecutors consider possible charges of insurrection, and opposition lawmakers continue to push for his impeachment.

Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who was detained in Seoul on Sunday, became the first individual arrested in connection with the case. Kim allegedly recommended the imposition of martial law and resigned from his post as defense minister on Thursday.

Shin Yong-hae, the commissioner general of the Korea Correctional Service, revealed that Kim attempted to take his own life before a formal arrest warrant was issued late Tuesday.

Shin Yong-hae, speaking to legislators at the National Assembly, reported that Kim Yong-hyun’s suicide attempt occurred in a bathroom. When a corrections officer opened the bathroom door, Kim gave up on his attempt. Shin confirmed that Kim has since been moved to an isolation room and is in stable health.

This incident comes just over a week after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in an unannounced television address on December 3. In his speech, Yoon accused the main opposition party of sympathizing with North Korea and engaging in “anti-state activities.”

The situation escalated dramatically, with security forces attempting to block lawmakers from entering the National Assembly by breaking through windows. However, within six hours, Yoon was forced to back down after lawmakers physically confronted soldiers and struck down the decree.

During the National Defense Committee hearing on Tuesday, former Special Warfare Command Commander Kwak Jong-geun testified that he had received a direct order from President Yoon Suk Yeol to “break the doors” of the National Assembly and “drag out” lawmakers.

However, Kwak explained that he did not comply with the order due to concerns it would lead to injuries. Following this, the soldiers withdrew after lawmakers voted to reject the martial law decree.

Since the events, President Yoon has faced mounting pressure to resign. He narrowly avoided impeachment on Saturday when members of his ruling conservative People Power Party left parliament and boycotted the vote, allowing him to survive the motion.

Before resigning as defense minister, Kim said in a statement Wednesday that “all troops who performed duties related to martial law were acting on my instructions, and all responsibility lies with me.”