South Korea?s ex-defense minister attempts to take his own life in aftermath of failed martial law

Former South Korean Defense Minister, Kim Yong-hyun has attempted to end his own life while in custody, the head of the country’s correctional service said Wednesday, as a political crisis following President Yoon‘s brief declaration of martial law continues to escalate .

Separately, South Korean police raided the presidential office on Wednesday, as part of a widening investigation into President Yoon Suk Yeol’s short-lived declaration of martial law that sparked widespread public anger in the country.

President Yoon has been barred from leaving the country as prosecutors weigh possible insurrection charges and opposition lawmakers continue to seek his impeachment.

Former Defense Minister Kim was detained in the capital Seoul on Sunday, becoming the first figure detained over the case. He allegedly recommended the imposition of martial law and resigned as defense minister on Thursday.

Shin Yong-hae, the commissioner general of Korea Correctional Service, said Kim made the attempt on his life before a formal arrest warrant was issued late Tuesday.

Speaking to legislators at the National Assembly, Shin said the incident took place in a bathroom.

When a corrections officer opened the bathroom door, Kim gave up on the suicide attempt, Shin added saying he  has been moved to an isolation room and has no health issues, Shin said.

The incident comes just over a week after President Yoon declared martial law in an unannounced television address late on December 3, accusing the main opposition party of sympathizing with North Korea and of “anti-state activities.” Dramatic scenes from that night showed security forces breaking through windows in the National Assembly to try and prevent lawmakers from gathering.

Within just six hours, Yoon was forced to back down, after lawmakers forced their way past soldiers into parliament to strike down the decree.

Speaking at the National Defense Committee hearing on Tuesday, former Special Warfare Command Commander Kwak Jong-geun testified that he received a direct order from President Yoon “to break the doors” of the National Assembly and “drag out” the lawmakers, but he did not comply fearing it would cause injuries.

Soldiers backed down following the vote.

Since then, President Yoon has been facing intense pressure to step down. Yoon survived an impeachment vote Saturday after members of his ruling conservative People Power Party left parliament and boycotted the vote.

Before resigning as defense minister, Kim said in a statement Wednesday that “all troops who performed duties related to martial law were acting on my instructions, and all responsibility lies with me.”