Following the contentious declaration of martial law by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, the nation's former defense minister, Kim Yong Hyun, attempted suicide while in detention. Authorities intervened and Kim is reported to be in stable condition. This incident occurred amidst an ongoing investigation into the president's decision to impose martial law, with police raiding Yoon's office on Wednesday.
Kim's suicide attempt was confirmed by Korea Correctional Service Commissioner General Shin Yong Hae and Justice Minister Park Sung Jae during a parliamentary committee meeting. Kim was arrested earlier that day on allegations of abuse of power and playing a central role in the rebellion connected to the martial law declaration, becoming the first individual formally arrested in the case. He is accused of advising the president to impose martial law and deploying troops to the National Assembly to obstruct lawmakers from voting on the motion.
Kim's arrest and subsequent suicide attempt add another layer of complexity to the already turbulent political landscape in South Korea. The main opposition Democratic Party is planning a second impeachment vote against President Yoon on Saturday, following an unsuccessful attempt last weekend. The president's declaration of martial law has drawn widespread criticism, with many labeling it unconstitutional. This marks the first instance of martial law being imposed in the country in over four decades.
The investigation into the martial law declaration is also focusing on the actions of other officials, including National Police Agency Commissioner General Cho Ji Ho and Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Head Kim Bong-sik. Both were detained for their alleged involvement in deploying police to the National Assembly to prevent lawmakers from voting. Authorities are investigating whether President Yoon, Kim Yong Hyun, and other involved parties committed the crime of rebellion, which carries a potential death sentence.
President Yoon has since apologized for declaring martial law, stating that he would accept legal and political responsibility. He attributed his decision to a desire to eliminate what he termed "shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces," a reference to his liberal political opponents. During a parliamentary hearing, Army Special Warfare Command Commander Kwak Jong-keun testified that President Yoon had personally ordered him to deploy troops to parliament and forcibly remove lawmakers, an order Kwak refused to carry out.
If President Yoon is impeached, his powers would be temporarily suspended pending a decision by the Constitutional Court. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would assume presidential responsibilities in the interim. If the court decides to remove Yoon from office, a new presidential election must be held within 60 days.
