South Korea’s former Defence Minister, Kim Yong-hyun, was found attempting to take his own life while detained at a facility in Seoul on Tuesday night. The incident occurred just before a court was set to issue a warrant for his arrest, and he is currently reported to be in stable condition.
Kim’s suicide attempt took place at the Seoul Dongbu Detention Centre, where he was being held under charges of insurrection. Authorities discovered him in a bathroom, trying to hang himself using innerwear that he had tied together into a makeshift rope.
The justice ministry reported that staff responded swiftly, and medical treatment showed no serious abnormalities. Kim was stabilised and is now being monitored under regular conditions, though the incident has raised significant concerns regarding his mental state.
The charges against Kim stem from his alleged involvement in an insurrection plot last week, in which he is accused of proposing the declaration of martial law to President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Prosecutors believe Kim ordered the deployment of military forces to key locations, including the National Assembly and the National Election Commission headquarters, in an effort to enforce the martial law.
Under South Korean law, individuals implicated in plotting insurrection face severe penalties, including the death penalty, life imprisonment, or a minimum of five years in prison. Kim’s actions, if proven, could lead to one of the harshest legal consequences.
Following his suicide attempt, Kim was placed in a protective cell at the detention facility to ensure his safety. The head of the Korea Correctional Service, Shin Yong-hae, mentioned in a parliamentary meeting that the former minister would be closely monitored, considering the gravity of the situation. Kim was later brought back to the detention centre for further questioning by prosecutors.
The reasons behind Kim’s drastic action are still not fully understood. Some have speculated that Kim may have attempted suicide due to feelings of injustice, believing that he was unfairly targeted by prosecutors.
Representative Jung Chung-rai, of the main opposition Democratic Party, suggested that Kim may have been upset by the prosecution’s focus on him instead of President Yoon, with whom he is allegedly involved in the insurrection case.
However, South Korea’s Justice Minister, Park Sung-jae, dismissed these assumptions, stating that there are no clear indications of why Kim attempted suicide.
He acknowledged that such actions typically have a variety of personal factors, but without further details, it is impossible to understand the exact motivation.
This incident has further complicated the already tense political situation in South Korea. Kim’s actions have drawn attention to the ongoing investigation into the insurrection case, which continues to unfold.
The case has already caused a stir in South Korea’s political landscape, with many questioning the extent of President Yoon’s involvement and whether Kim’s arrest and subsequent actions are linked to broader political machinations.
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