Former South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is at the center of a major political scandal, tried to take his own life while in detention. The shocking event happened shortly after Kim was arrested over his role in proposing a controversial martial law declaration that shook the country.

Kim was detained on Sunday as part of an investigation into the martial law decree declared by President Yoon Suk Yeol last Tuesday. Prosecutors say Kim recommended that the government impose ...