'Kim Yong-hyun, a key figure in the '12·3 Emergency Martial Law Incident' and former Minister of National Defense, reportedly attempted to take his own life in a detention center.

According to the Ministry of Justice on the 11th, Kim attempted to hang himself using a string made from his underwear and thermal pants in the bathroom of the common area of the Seoul Eastern Detention Center at 11:52 PM the previous day.

A staff member in the control room discovered the scene and immediately intervened to stop Kim. It is reported that Kim gave up the attempt when the staff member arrived and opened the door. Currently, Kim, who is being held in a protective cell, has been reported to be in good health. The protective cell is a space designated for inmates who require special management due to risks of suicide attempts and other concerns. The Ministry of Justice stated, "According to medical examinations, the inmate's health status is good, and he is currently living normally in detention."

Kim, who has been identified as the instigator of the 12·3 Emergency Martial Law Incident, voluntarily appeared before the prosecution in the early hours of the 8th and was urgently arrested and detained. The prosecution requested an arrest warrant for Kim on the 9th, and the court issued the warrant late the following night. Kim's suicide attempt occurred just before the arrest warrant was issued.

The Special Investigation Headquarters for the Emergency Martial Law (headed by Park Se-hyun, Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office) summoned Kim from the detention center for questioning that afternoon. This investigation is the first since Kim's detention and marks the fourth questioning, including the one he underwent after voluntarily appearing before the prosecution on the 8th.

The fact that Kim was summoned for questioning the day after his arrest is interpreted as reflecting the prosecution's determination to conduct a swift investigation into this case.

[Kang Min-woo, Reporter]