South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun speaks as he participates in the US-Republic of Korea Foreign and Defense Ministerial meeting at the State Department in Washington, DC, on October 31, 2024. Agence France-Presse

SEOUL — South Korea’s former defense minister tried to kill himself shortly before he was formally arrested over his role in this month’s martial law operation, a senior prisons official said Wednesday.

President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on December 3 and sent soldiers and helicopters to parliament but was forced to rescind the decree hours later after lawmakers voted it down.

Article continues after this advertisement

Defense minister Kim Yong-hyun resigned last Thursday and was formally arrested Tuesday on charges including “engaging in critical duties during an insurrection” and “abuse of authority to obstruct the exercise of rights”.

FEATURED STORIES GLOBALNATION South Korea police raid President Yoon Sook Yeol's office GLOBALNATION Taiwan detects 53 Chinese military aircraft, 19 ships near island GLOBALNATION Marcos vows to make overseas work a choice, not a necessity

READ: S. Korean defense minister resigns – president’s office

During a parliamentary hearing, the commissioner general of the Korea Correctional Service said the former minister tried to kill himself minutes before his arrest was announced.

Article continues after this advertisement

Shortly before midnight (1500 GMT Tuesday), “former Minister of Defense Kim Yong-hyun attempted suicide at the Seoul Dongbu Detention Center,” said Shin Yong-hae.

Article continues after this advertisement

Adding that he received the report Wednesday morning, Shin said Kim had tried to kill himself in the toilet using a string from his clothing.

Article continues after this advertisement

“A control room staff member intervened, and when they opened the door, he immediately gave up the attempt,” said Shin.

READ: S. Korean ex-defense minister arrested after martial law fiasco – media

Article continues after this advertisement

Shin added that Kim was now under protection in a secure cell and in good health.

“The medical examination results indicate that the inmate’s health status is good without any abnormalities, and he is currently living a normal life in the facility,” the justice ministry said in a statement sent to AFP.

Kim had issued an apology on Tuesday, saying through his lawyers that “all responsibility for this situation lies solely with me”.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

He “deeply apologized” to the South Korean people and said that his subordinates were “merely following my orders and fulfilling their assigned duties”.bonus365

READ NEXT Trump says solving Ukraine crisis his top priority CHR backs UN rapporteur’s call to review cases vs PH jou... EDITORS' PICK Sofronio Vasquez makes history as first Asian to win ‘The Voice’ Sofronio Vasquez named ‘The Voice’ Season 26 winner DTI gives shopping tips for the holiday season Sofronio Vasquez: His journey to ‘The Voice’ finale UAAP Finals: UST Tigresses fend off NU, force title decider First Fil-Am elected to LA City Council sworn into office MOST READ Comelec OKs additional provincial council seats in 21 provinces VP Sara Duterte considering hiring private security force UAAP Finals: La Salle beats UP in tense finish to force Game 3 COA told: Release info on Office of the President’s secret funds Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments

• bonus365
• Korean
• ex-defense
• Minister
• Tried