South Korean Court Sentences Ex-PM Han Duck-soo to 23 Years Over Failed Martial Law Bid

A South Korean court on Wednesday sentenced former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to 23 years in prison for his role in a failed attempt to impose martial law under the administration of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol. The Seoul Central District Court ruled that the Dec. 3, 2024, martial law declaration amounted to an insurrection, marking the first judicial decision to formally define the episode as such, according to Yonhap News.

Presiding Judge Lee Jin-gwan said Han had a constitutional obligation to uphold democratic principles and the rule of law but failed to do so. The court found that Han neglected his duty as prime minister and participated in the attempt despite understanding its unconstitutional nature. Prosecutors had charged Han with abetting the ringleader of an insurrection, playing a key role in the effort, and committing perjury, with the court ultimately handing down a harsher sentence than requested by the prosecution.

Han, 76, served as prime minister under Yoon, who was removed from office last year after lawmakers rushed to parliament and voted down the martial law declaration during an emergency session. The ruling marks the first conviction of a member of Yoon’s Cabinet over the failed attempt. Yoon himself was sentenced last week to five years in prison for obstructing investigators, while a special prosecutor has also sought the death penalty against him on insurrection charges, with a court decision expected on Feb. 19.