South Korean ex-defense minister attempts suicide: official

SEOUL (Straits Times) - Former South Korean Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is accused of playing a lead role in the failed imposition of martial law on Dec 3, has attempted suicide inside a detention centre, a justice ministry official told Parliament.

Mr Kim is said to have tried to use underwear to kill himself. But he failed in his suicide attempt.

Mr Kim was arrested on insurrection charges related to President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief declaration of martial law, which plunged the country into chaos, a court spokesperson said early on Dec 11.

Mr Yoon suspended civilian rule a week ago and sent special forces and helicopters to Parliament, before lawmakers forced him to rescind the decree in a country assumed to be a stable democracy.

Charges against Mr Kim included “engaging in critical duties during an insurrection” and “abuse of authority to obstruct the exercise of rights”.

Two top police officials were also taken into custody in the early hours of Dec 11, as the investigation into the political turmoil caused by the martial law declaration gathered pace.

In a statement made through his lawyers on Dec 10, Mr Kim “deeply apologised” to the South Korean people and said that his subordinates were “merely following my orders and fulfilling their assigned duties”.