December 18, 2024 6:54 pm
Full News

Former South Korean Defense Minister Attempts Suicide Amid Martial Law Probe

SEOUL – South Korea’s former defense minister, Kim Yong Hyun, attempted suicide while in detention following his arrest in connection with President Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial martial law declaration. Officials at a Seoul detention center prevented the attempt, Justice Minister Park Sung Jae confirmed during a parliamentary committee meeting on Wednesday.

Kim was arrested earlier that day after a court approved a warrant on allegations of rebellion and abuse of power. Prosecutors accuse him of playing a central role in recommending martial law to President Yoon and deploying troops to block lawmakers from voting on the decree.

The martial law declaration, issued on Dec. 3, was met with swift backlash. Lawmakers ultimately forced the decree to be lifted within hours after unanimously rejecting it in a dramatic parliamentary session. Opposition parties have since called the move unconstitutional, marking the first imposition of martial law in South Korea in over 40 years.

Meanwhile, police raided President Yoon’s office on Wednesday as part of the ongoing investigation. Authorities are probing whether Yoon, Kim, and others involved in the declaration committed the crime of rebellion, which carries a maximum penalty of death upon conviction.

Kim’s arrest is the first formal detention in the case, but other high-ranking officials, including Cho Ji Ho, commissioner general of the National Police Agency, and Kim Bong-sik, head of Seoul’s metropolitan police, are also under scrutiny for deploying security forces to parliament during the crisis.

During a parliamentary hearing on Tuesday, Kwak Jong-keun, commander of the Army Special Warfare Command, testified that President Yoon ordered troops to “destroy the door and drag out the lawmakers inside” the National Assembly. Kwak said he defied the president’s directive.

President Yoon, a conservative, has apologized for the martial law declaration, stating he would not avoid legal or political responsibility for the move. He also left it to his party to handle the political fallout, including matters concerning his presidency. Yoon defended his decision as a measure to combat “shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces,” a reference to his liberal rivals.

The opposition Democratic Party plans to hold a second impeachment vote against Yoon on Saturday after a previous attempt failed last weekend. Prosecutors now have up to 20 days to decide whether to indict Kim as investigations continue to widen.

Related News
Insult to Indian Flag in Bangladesh Highlights Growing Hindu and India Hatred Among Extremists
11 Bangladeshis Rescued from Human Trafficking Syndicate in Malaysia
Asia-Pacific Leaders Praise Trump Amid Rising Regional Security Concerns
Presidential Power Under Article 141(A) – A Legal Path to Restoring Order?
Renewed Clashes in Syria: Rebel Forces Target Aleppo in Fiercest Offensive in Years
Superman Trailer Release Date Confirmed
Related Posts
Expert Warns of Public Health Crisis as Delhi Faces Hazardous Air Pollution
How Facebook Restricted News in Palestinian Territories
Can the International Criminal Court (ICC) Survive US Sanctions Over Arrest Warrants for Israeli Leaders?
NASA Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams Face Another Homecoming Delay
Dastagir Jahangir: A Lone Voice Advocating for Press Freedom in Bangladesh
Dastagir Jahangir Exposes Controversial Extremist Links of Bangladesh’s Interim Government, Presses U.S. State Department
More News

Navigating the Growing Risk of Naval Nuclear Deterrence and Cooperation Between India and Pakistan

India and Pakistan Naval Forces Navigate Growing Nuclear Deterrence and Cooperation in Indian Ocean Nature of Contestation Despite the traditionally antagonistic posture of the Indian and Pakistani Navies, fueled by broader bilateral tensions, both forces face similar nontraditional threats in the Indian Ocean. The region’s growing complexity is exacerbated by the increasing presence of the […]

Delhi High Court Dismisses Descendant’s Claim Over Red Fort Ownership

NEW DELHI – The Delhi High Court has rejected a petition by Sultana Begum, a descendant of the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar II, seeking possession of the historic Red Fort and compensation from 1857 to date. Sultana Begum, the widow of Bahadur Shah Zafar II’s great-grandson, claimed the British forcibly took possession of […]

Former BNP leader arrested from Kolkata

The arrest of Salim Matabbar, a former BNP leader, in Kolkata highlights the complexities of cross-border migration and political tensions. His use of forged documents to live and work in India raises critical questions about the mechanisms used to secure false identities and the networks facilitating such activities. This case also underscores the challenges faced […]

Trump Cabinet Nominees Targeted with Bomb Threats and ‘Swatting’ Incidents

Several of Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees and appointees were subjected to violent threats, including bomb threats and “swatting,” according to a statement released on November 27 by Trump’s spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt. The threats, which occurred on the night of November 26 and the morning of November 27, prompted swift action from law enforcement to ensure […]

Biden Pardons 39 Individuals in a Day and Reduces Sentences for 1,500 Others

U.S. President Joe Biden has just over a month left in office, and during this time, he has been granting clemency to many offenders. In a single day, he pardoned 39 individuals convicted of non-violent offenses and reduced the sentences of nearly 1,500 long-term prisoners. This news was reported by Reuters on Friday (December 13). […]

Putin Urges Global South to Embrace New Economic System, Highlights BRICS and Asia’s Role

Putin Calls for Accelerated Shift to New Economic System, Highlighting Asia’s Potential in Global Rise Through BRICS Unity At the recent BRICS summit in Russia, President Vladimir Putin called on the Global South to speed up the transition towards a new, more equitable economic and financial system, a move aimed at reducing reliance on traditional […]

Thailand Becomes 3rd Country in Asia to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

Nafis Sadique Shatil After Taiwan and Nepal, set to Boost Tourism by $2 Billion Annually Thailand’s upcoming legalization of same-sex marriage, scheduled to take effect in January 2025, is expected to generate a significant economic boost, potentially attracting an additional 4 million tourists each year. According to a report by travel company Agoda, the new […]

“Deadly Terror Attack Strikes Turkey’s Largest Aerospace Facility, Two Gunmen Neutralized”

On Wednesday, October 23, explosions and gunfire were reported at Turkey’s largest aerospace company, TUSAŞ, located in the capital city of Ankara, according to eyewitnesses. A report by British news agency Reuters stated that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan confirmed the casualties. Erdoğan, who is attending the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, referred to the […]

Extension of Magistracy Powers for Military Officials: Coast Guard and BGB Included

The military officials’ magistracy powers have been extended for another 60 days, now including the Coast Guard and BGB. The government has extended the magistracy powers of the officers of the Army, Navy, and Air Force for another 60 days. This information was obtained from a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on […]

Charlize Theron Honored at Baby2Baby Gala, $17.1M Raised for Kids

Charlize Theron wore a beautiful Schiaparelli dress at the Baby2Baby Gala on Saturday night. She was given the Giving Tree Award for her work helping children in need. The event raised $17.1 million to support children living in poverty. Charlize told the crowd, “I think we all needed a night like tonight. A night that […]