SEOUL — South Korea’s former defense minister, Kim Yong-Hyun, attempted suicide shortly before his formal arrest on charges linked to this month’s controversial martial law operation, a senior prison official reported on Wednesday (Dec 11).
Kim resigned last Thursday and was arrested on Tuesday for accusations including “engaging in critical duties during an insurrection” and “abuse of authority to obstruct the exercise of rights.”
His arrest follows the fallout from President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration on Dec 3, which involved deploying soldiers and helicopters to parliament—a move swiftly overturned after lawmakers rejected it.
Shin Yong-hae, the commissioner general of the Korea Correctional Service, revealed during a parliamentary hearing that Kim attempted suicide at the Seoul Dongbu Detention Center late Tuesday night, just minutes before his arrest was publicly announced.
“A control room staff member intervened, and when they opened the door, he immediately gave up the attempt,” Shin said, adding that Kim is now in a secure cell under protection and in good health.
The justice ministry confirmed Kim’s stable condition, stating in a report to AFP that medical examinations found no health abnormalities, and he is “currently living a normal life in the facility.”
Kim had issued a public apology earlier, taking full responsibility for the situation and emphasizing that his subordinates were only following orders.
“All responsibility for this situation lies solely with me,” he said through his lawyers, expressing deep remorse to the South Korean people.