South Korea ex-defence minister tries to take his own life over failed martial law
11 December 2024, 03:05 | Updated: 11 December 2024, 05:54
South Korea's former defence minister has tried to take his own life while being held in detention over his role in the failed imposition of martial law, officials have said.
Kim Yong Hyun, along with President Yoon Suk Yeol are the subject of a criminal investigation on insurrection charges.
Mr Kim was arrested earlier on Wednesday after a Seoul court approved a warrant for him on allegations of playing a key role in a rebellion and committing abuse of power.
He became the first person arrested over the 3 December martial law decree.
It comes after reports said police were searching Mr Yoon's office.
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Police did not immediately confirm the report which comes as the country's main law enforcement institutions are focusing on finding whether Mr Yoon and others involved in the martial law imposition committed rebellion.
South Korea's national police chief and top police officer for the capital Seoul have also been detained for their roles in the short-lived decree.
Police said National Police Agency commissioner general Cho Ji Ho and Kim Bong-sik, head of Seoul's metropolitan police agency of the capital, were being held at Seoul's Namdaemun police station.
