The former defense minister of South Korea attempted to take his own life while in custody.

This is reported by Yonhap citing a representative of the detention center.

However, the suicide attempt was unsuccessful, and the former official was returned to his cell. His health condition remains stable.

Kim Yong-hen is in custody after being charged with treason. He was the one who advised the country's president, Yoon Suk-yeol, to declare a state of emergency amid escalating political crisis.

He took responsibility for this, resigned, and apologized to the citizens.

What happened in South Korea?

On December 3, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol unexpectedly announced in an evening address that a state of emergency would be declared in the country. He cited "anti-state activities" by the opposition, which he accused of supporting North Korea.

Yoon made this statement after several weeks of political disputes regarding a new state budget bill — the opposition Democratic Party refused to approve it. Instead, the opposition submitted a reduced budget proposal to the parliamentary budget committee, as well as a motion for impeachment against the state auditor and the Attorney General.

The declaration of a state of emergency allowed the president to gain strict control over political activities and the media. Yoon's decision shocked even his own party, with the leader of the "People Power Party," Han Dong-hun, calling it "wrong."

Following the announcement of the state of emergency, the parliament building was blocked by the military. They did not allow opposition lawmakers inside, who came to overturn Yoon's decision after his announcement.

Eventually, around 1 AM local time, 190 out of 300 members of the National Assembly voted to repeal the state of emergency. Additionally, thousands of people gathered outside the building demanding the president's resignation.

Amid these events, the South Korean currency fell to its lowest level against the US dollar since October 2022. Furthermore, six opposition parties in South Korea filed for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol.

However, the first vote for impeachment failed as members of the ruling "People Power Party" left the session hall. The opposition promised to submit impeachment requests weekly until the president resigns or is removed from office.