Politics South Korea's ex-minister: suicide attempt in custody

South Korea's imprisoned ex-Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun has attempted suicide in his prison cell. According to the Ministry of Justice, the 65-year-old, who is accused of treason, was initially in a stable state of health, as South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.

Kim is currently being held in a detention center in Seoul. He was an outspoken supporter and possible mastermind behind President Yoon Suk Yeol's controversial decision to impose martial law on his country - which sparked mass protests.

On Tuesday, the former defense minister said he wanted to take sole responsibility for it. "The entire responsibility for the situation lies solely with me. My subordinates simply faithfully followed my orders and the orders given to them. I ask for leniency for them," Yonhap quoted a statement from Kim's lawyer's office as saying.

On Wednesday, police raided President Yoon's offices as part of their investigation into him. Yoon was not present during the raid, according to Yonhap. His exact whereabouts are currently unclear.

The South Korean president unexpectedly lifted martial law on Tuesday last week and hours later after massive political resistance. On Saturday evening, an opposition motion to impeach Yoon failed in parliament. However, public pressure against the 63-year-old continues.

SDA