South Korea’s former defense minister attempts suicide after being arrested in martial law investigation
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Former South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun attempted suicide while in detention after the president declared martial law, but was stopped by officials.
Police raided President Yoon Seok-yeol’s office on Wednesday as part of an investigation into his statement.
The main liberal opposition Democratic Party plans to hold a second impeachment vote against Yoon on Saturday after Yoon declared martial law after his first impeachment attempt failed last weekend.
Shin Yong-hae, director of South Korea’s Correctional Service, told lawmakers at a parliamentary committee meeting on Wednesday that Kim Jong-il tried to commit suicide at a detention center in Seoul, but his attempt failed after officials stopped him.
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On November 1, 2024, South Korean Defense Minister Kim Young-hyun spoke at a press conference in Ottawa, Ontario. (Associated Press)
Kim is in stable condition.
Justice Minister Park Sung-jae also confirmed the news of Kim Jong-un’s suicide attempt at a parliamentary committee meeting.
Kim was detained early Wednesday after a Seoul court approved an arrest warrant for his key role in the rebellion and abuse of power. Kim was the first person to be formally arrested as a result of the president’s declaration of martial law on December 3.
Kim, a close aide to Yoon, is accused of advising the president to impose martial law and sending troops to the National Assembly to prevent lawmakers from voting on the motion. Lawmakers eventually managed to enter the parliament chamber and unanimously rejected Yoon Eun-hye’s decree, forcing it to be canceled just hours after it was announced.
Prosecutors have up to 20 days to decide whether to charge Kim in the case.
National Police Chief Cho Ji-ho and Seoul Regional Police Chief Kim Bong-sik were detained over accusations of deploying police forces to the National Assembly to prevent lawmakers from voting over their actions during martial law.
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South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol delivers a speech at the Presidential Palace in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, December 7, 2024. (Associated Press)
The country’s main law enforcement agency is focused on whether Yin, Kim and others involved in martial law are guilty of rebellion, which carries a maximum penalty of death if convicted.
Yoon, a conservative, apologized for martial law on Saturday, saying he would not seek to evade legal or political responsibility for the motion. He also said he would let his party lead the country through political turmoil, “including matters related to my term.”
In declaring martial law, Yoon said he hoped to rebuild the country by eliminating “shameless North Korean followers and anti-national forces,” a criticism of his liberal rivals who control parliament.
Opposition parties and many experts say martial law is unconstitutional. This is the first time in more than 40 years that South Korea has implemented martial law.
At a parliamentary hearing on Tuesday, Army Special Operations Command Commander Kwak Jong-keun, whose troops were sent to the parliament, testified that Yoon called him and asked the troops deployed at the parliament to “quickly destroy the gate and drag out the lawmakers inside.” ”.
Guo said he failed to comply with Yin’s orders.
Participants gather for a rally calling for the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol in front of the headquarters of the ruling People’s Power Party on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea. (Associated Press)
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Kim Dae-woo, a senior official in the military’s counterintelligence agency, told the same hearing that his commander, Yeo In-hyung, asked him if an army bunker in Seoul had room to detain politicians and others after martial law was declared. figure. Yang is considered a close associate of Kim Jong Un.
If Yoon is impeached, his powers will be suspended until the Constitutional Court decides whether to remove him. The second-in-command in the South Korean government and Prime Minister Han Deok-soo will take over as president.
If the president is removed from office, an election must be held within 60 days to replace him.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
