South Korean Ex-Defense Minister Attempts Suicide in Custody

Former South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun has reportedly attempted suicide while in detention, as the country grapples with a political crisis triggered by President Yoon Suk Yeol’s

controversial martial law proposal. Kim, arrested on Sunday, is the first individual to be detained in relation to the martial law declaration made by President Yoon on December 3, which was later rescinded after widespread protests and backlash.

Kim had resigned from his post shortly after the martial law announcement, which many viewed as an attempt to centralize power and curtail democratic freedoms. Authorities reported that Kim’s suicide attempt was discovered in a prison bathroom, with correctional officers intervening just in time before any serious harm could occur.

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The martial law proposal had sent shockwaves through South Korea, with both citizens and political leaders raising alarms over the potential for authoritarian overreach. Despite the quick withdrawal of the decree, the political fallout has only intensified. Calls for impeachment against President Yoon have grown louder, with the opposition accusing him of violating the constitution.

South Korea’s political environment is now highly charged, with public protests calling for Yoon’s resignation. The nation remains deeply divided as it faces questions about its democratic future amid these unprecedented events. The situation continues to develop as both the government and opposition brace for the next phase of this unfolding crisis.