Han Duck-soo sentenced to 23 years over role in failed martial law attempt

Former South Korean prime minister Han Duck-soo has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for his role in an insurrection stemming from the failed martial law declaration by former president Yoon Suk Yeol, and Judge Lee Jin-kwan ordered Han's immediate detention. The judge's verdict on Wednesday was the first judicial ruling that the 3 December 2024 martial law attempt constituted insurrection.

The court found Han had actively created the appearance of a legitimate cabinet meeting to rubber-stamp an unconstitutional decree; prosecutors had sought a 15-year sentence. Lee rejected using precedents from past military coups as sentencing guidelines, calling the episode a "self-coup" by elected power that posed unique dangers to democracy.

The court said Han, as prime minister, had a constitutional duty to prevent the insurrection but instead "chose to join" it, and found no genuine remorse, noting he continued concealing evidence and lying during the trial. Among the most damaging evidence was an 8 December phone call in which Han told a presidential aide to destroy a backdated martial law document, saying: "Let's make it as if my signature never existed." CCTV showed him nodding as Yoon explained the plan and receiving documents including the martial law proclamation, and the court found he helped ensure the meeting had the minimum quorum while preventing meaningful deliberation.

Key Topics

World, Han Duck-soo, South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, Martial Law Attempt, Insurrection