Former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun attempts suicide after arrest on insurrection charges

Former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun attempted to take his own life while in detention at a correctional facility in eastern Seoul, where he is being held on charges of insurrection, a correctional official reported on 11 December, according to Korean news agency Yonhap.

The attempt was unsuccessful, and Kim’s condition is stable.

He is now being monitored in a protective cell, confirmed Shin Yong-hae, head of the correctional centre, during a parliamentary hearing.

Kim was formally arrested on Wednesday (11 Dec) on charges related to aiding President Yoon Suk Yeol in declaring martial law last week, which lasted for six hours between last Tuesday and Wednesday.

He later resigned from his position on Thursday, and President Yoon accepted his resignation.

Kim was then arrested on Sunday as part of an ongoing treason investigation linked to the martial law declaration.

The Seoul Central District Court had issued a warrant for his arrest, citing the strength of the evidence, the seriousness of the crime, and concerns over the potential destruction of evidence.

The court determined that Kim’s actions fell within the scope of crimes eligible for prosecution, enabling authorities to press forward with their investigation. This makes Kim the first person to be formally arrested in connection with the events surrounding the martial law declaration.

According to the court, Kim’s charges include engaging in “essential” activities to promote insurrection and abusing his authority to obstruct the constitutional functions of the National Assembly during the martial law period.

Prosecutors allege that Kim collaborated with President Yoon to draft the martial law decree, which included unconstitutional measures restricting the National Assembly’s authority.

They also suspect that Kim ordered troops to be deployed to key sites, including the National Assembly compound and the National Election Commission headquarters.

Kim declined to attend a court hearing on Tuesday to review the arrest warrant, offering an apology through his legal counsel for the public unrest caused by the incident.

During questioning, he admitted to proposing martial law to President Yoon but maintained that his actions were neither unlawful nor unconstitutional.

The prosecution’s investigation into the insurrection charges against President Yoon is expected to gain momentum following Kim’s arrest.

President Yoon, who has been booked as a suspect, is currently barred from leaving the country. Under South Korean law, however, sitting presidents are immune from prosecution except in cases involving charges of insurrection or treason.

By law, individuals convicted of leading or participating in an insurrection face severe penalties, including the death penalty, life imprisonment, or a prison term of no less than five years. The prosecution has underscored the gravity of Kim’s alleged crimes, calling for swift judicial proceedings.