• Source: Kim Yong-hyun (general)

      • Kim Yong-hyun (Korean: 김용현; born 25 June 1959) is a South Korean former lieutenant general and politician who served as the Minister of National Defense from 6 September 2024 until his resignation on 5 December 2024 for his involvement in the 2024 South Korean martial law. On 8 December 2024, he was arrested on suspicion of committing insurrection by advising President Yoon Suk Yeol to declare martial law and sending troops into the National Assembly to seize the legislature.


      Early life and education


      Kim was born in Masan, South Gyeongsang Province. He graduated from Chungam High School in Eunpyeong District, Seoul in 1978 (one year ahead of Yoon Suk Yeol), and entered the Korea Military Academy shortly thereafter.


      Career


      Kim was formerly a three-star army general who served as the Chief of the Presidential Security Service from 11 May 2022 until he was nominated to serve as the Minister of National Defense in August 2024, taking office on 6 September. Due to Kim having been an upperclassman of President Yoon Suk Yeol at the Chungam High School in Seoul, they have been referred to as the "Chungam faction".


      Association with the 2024 martial law


      At an unplanned cabinet meeting that Yoon convened minutes before his late-night declaration on 3 December, Kim recommended imposing martial law. Kim resigned on 5 December in the aftermath of the 2024 declaration of martial law, for which he made an apology. His deputy, Kim Seon-ho, also accused him of having ordered soldiers to enter the National Assembly and prevent lawmakers from gathering to vote down the declaration. Kim was barred from leaving the country on 5 December by the Ministry of Justice. On 8 December, he was arrested on charges relating to the martial law declaration.
      On 10 December, a police raid was conducted at the Presidential Office, with investigators presenting a search warrant that specified Yoon as the suspect. On the same day, Kim attempted suicide at the detention facility he was held in.
      If Kim is convicted, he could potentially face the death penalty.


      References

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