South Korean defence minister Kim Yong-Hyun, who was accused of involvement in a failed martial law attempt, attempted suicide on Wednesday.
“South Korea ex-defence minister Kim used underwear to commit suicide at detention centre,” Reuters quoted officials as saying.
This development follows the recent arrest of the former defence minister by South Korean prosecutors, who were investigating alleged treason after President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law implementation.
Kim, who had resigned from his position, played a key role in the temporary martial law implementation. Documents from opposition members and information from a senior military official indicate that Kim had proposed this measure to Yoon.
Earlier in the day, a special police investigation unit in South Korea conducted a raid on the presidential office following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s short-lived martial law declaration that caused nationwide turmoil last week.
“The Special Investigation Team has conducted a raid on the presidential office, the National Police Agency, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, and the National Assembly Security Service,” the unit stated in a message sent to AFP.