South Korea's former defense minister attempts suicide in detention center

Former South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is being held in a detention center in Seoul, attempted to commit suicide. As reported by Yonhap News Agency on Dec. 11, his condition is not a cause for concern at this time.

"After the failed attempt [on his life], Kim is being held in a protective cell and his health remains stable," said the head of the detention center, Shin Young-hae, during a parliamentary hearing.

It is noted that the incident occurred the previous day at around 23:52 (17:52 Moscow time). Kim Yong-hyeon was discovered by a detention center employee on duty when he attempted suicide in the restroom. As Shin Young-hye added, correctional officers quickly intervened in the situation, opening the door and preventing a tragedy.

A South Korean court has remanded the former defense minister in custody as he allegedly played a key role in enforcing President Yun Seok-yeol's decision to impose martial law. Kim Yong-hyun became the first person to be investigated for irregularities related to the imposition of martial law on Dec. 3, the media outlet added.

The tragedy of the situation: what caused the political crisis in South Korea to erupt abruptly

How the situation in the country will develop further and what the DPRK has to do with it

Earlier on Dec. 9, South Korean President Yun Seok-yol was banned from leaving the country amid an investigation into his order to temporarily impose martial law. At the same time, it was reported that the police imposed a travel ban on former South Korean Interior Minister and Minister of Public Administration and Security Lee Sang-min. Former ROK Armed Forces counterintelligence commander Yeo In-hyun and Army Chief of Staff Park Ahn-soo, who was appointed martial law commander, were also banned from leaving the country.

Before that, on December 8, Korean Newsis reported that South Korea's Minister of Internal Affairs and Security Lee Sang-min had resigned. His decision was approved by the country's President Yun Seok-yol. On the same day, the South Korean prosecutor's office assigned Yoon Seok-yol the status of a suspect in the case of rebellion against the state system. The country's prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into a claim by opposition lawmakers that the Korean president committed treason.

Yun Seok-yol declared martial law in the country on December 3. The reason for such a step he called the threat of paralysis of power, arising from attempts to conduct impeachment proceedings. Commander of the emergency regime, Chief of Staff of the Ground Forces Park Ahn-soo noted that until martial law is lifted in the republic, the activities of the parliament, political parties and associations are prohibited. Military equipment was brought to the streets of Seoul.

The opposition party of the republic, in turn, demanded the resignation of the head of state and said it intended to charge Yoon Seok-yeol with treason. At the same time, all heads and senior secretaries of the presidential administration resigned. In addition, the country's labor unions announced a general strike.