South Korea ex-defence minister tries to take own life while in detention, currently hospitalised

Kim was reportedly involved with president Yoon Suk Yeol's attempt to establish martial law.

December 11, 2024, 12:08 PM

Kim Yong Hyun, the former defence minister of South Korea suspected to have aided President Yoon Suk Yeol's attempt to establish martial law, reportedly tried to take his own life while under detention.

According to the South Korean media outlet JTBC, the incident happened on the night of Dec. 10, 2024.

He has been hospitalised after the discovery.

Who is Kim Yong Hyun?

Kim was a former army general who later served as the head of South Korea's Presidential Security Service, analogous to the U.S. Secret Service agency.

He was then appointed as Minister of National Defense by Yoon, and took office in Sep. 2024.

Kim and Yoon happen to attend the same high school in Seoul, Chungam High School.

On the night of Dec. 3, Yoon made a surprise declaration of martial law, accusing opposition groups in the National Assembly (similar to Singapore's Parliament) of sympathising with North Korea.

However, protests quickly emerged opposing Yoon's declaration, and despite military and police personnel being deployed to the National Assembly building, 190 lawmakers managed to gather for a vote, out of 300.

These 190 members unanimously voted to lift the imposition of martial law.

Following the vote, the military and police personnel withdrew from the building.

Architect of martial law?

Kim was seen as a central figure in Yoon's declaration, with Reuters reporting that he had supposedly suggested the idea to Yoon in the first place.

As the minister, Kim also took responsibility for giving orders to the military personnel who occupied the National Assembly building.

Kim offered his resignation to Yoon on Dec. 4, and accepted "full responsibility" for the "turmoil." The resignation was accepted.

Although public pressure mounted for Yoon's own resignation, he survived an impeachment vote after members of his own party refused to gather for a quorum, meaning that the vote could not go ahead on Dec. 7.

☎️ Helplines

If you or someone you know are in mental distress, here are some hotlines you can call to seek help, advice, or just a listening ear:

SOS 24-hour Hotline: 1-767

Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019

Institute of Mental Health: 6389-2222 (24 hours)

Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788 (for primary school-aged children)

SHECARES@SCWO: Call: 8001 01 4616 | WhatsApp: 6571 4400 (for targets of online harms)