South Korea’s former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun was formally arrested late Tuesday on multiple charges, including “abuse of authority to obstruct the exercise of rights,” after martial law was briefly imposed.

Yonhap reported on Wednesday that Mr. Kim tried to kill himself shortly before his arrest.

A spokesman for the Seoul Central District Court earlier told AFP that Mr Kim had been arrested amid concerns that evidence might be destroyed.

Through his lawyers, Mr. Kim said that “all responsibility for this situation rests solely with me” and that subordinates “are only following my orders and fulfilling their assigned duties.”

Kim, who was detained on Sunday, was barred from traveling with the former interior minister and general in charge of martial law.

Troops and helicopters were sent to parliament in a failed attempt to prevent MPs from voting to reject Mr Yun’s martial law declaration.

Korea National Police Agency Commissioner General Cho Ji-ho and Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency chief Kim Bong-sik were also arrested early Wednesday, police said.

Meanwhile, South Korean police say their office has been raided as investigations into President Yun Suk-yeol’s declaration of martial law intensify.

“The special investigation team raided the presidential office, the National Police Agency, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and the National Assembly Security Service,” the unit said in a message to AFP.

Mr. Yoon is already under a travel ban as part of a “rebellious” investigation into his inner circle after the short-lived suspension of civilian rule on Dec. 3.

The president is under criminal investigation for treason for imposing short-term martial law, but has not been arrested or questioned by authorities.

South Korean Prime Minister Han Duk-soo said he blamed himself for failing to end martial law, Newsis news agency reported on Wednesday.

Mr. Yoon revoked martial law 6 hours after parliament voted against it.