Former South Korean Defence Minister's Suicide Attempt in Detention
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Seoul, Dec 11 (NationPress) Kim Yong-hyun, the former Defence Minister of South Korea, has reportedly tried to end his life while in custody at a detention center, facing charges of insurrection. Fortunately, he is currently in stable condition, according to a statement from the justice ministry on Wednesday.
At approximately 11:52 p.m. on Tuesday, authorities found Kim attempting to hang himself using a rope fashioned from his innerwear in a bathroom at the Seoul Dongbu Detention Centre, situated in eastern Seoul. This incident occurred just before a court issued an arrest warrant for him, as reported by Yonhap news agency, citing the ministry's information.
The ministry added, “There was an immediate dispatch to restrain him.” Medical personnel confirmed that he is now stable, exhibiting no abnormalities, and is being held under standard conditions.
On Wednesday morning, Kim was officially arrested on allegations of assisting President Yoon Suk Yeol in executing an insurrection through a brief declaration of martial law the previous week.
Prosecutors believe Kim, at the time serving as defence minister, suggested that Yoon declare martial law and directed the deployment of troops to both the National Assembly compound and the National Election Commission headquarters.
Under the law, anyone involved in planning an insurrection could face severe penalties, including death, life imprisonment, or a minimum five-year prison sentence.
Shin Yong-hae, the commissioner general of the Korea Correctional Service, informed a parliamentary legislation committee that Kim is currently being held in a protective cell following his suicide attempt.
Rep. Jung Chung-rai of the main opposition Democratic Party, who chairs the committee, suggested that Kim may have resorted to this drastic action due to feelings of being “wronged” by the prosecution focusing on him instead of Yoon regarding the alleged insurrection.
However, Justice Minister Park Sung-jae rejected this idea, stating, “I don’t think so.” He elaborated during the meeting, “I don’t have a basis for this, but someone who tried to commit suicide likely had various reasons, and there is no way for me to know.”
Later on Wednesday, Kim was brought back to the detention center for further questioning by prosecutors.
