South Korea’s Former Prime Minister Sentenced to 23 Years
SEOUL, South Korea — A Seoul court has sentenced former Prime Minister Han Duck‑soo to 23 years in prison over his role in South Korea’s controversial martial law crisis in 2024.
The sentence marks one of the strongest penalties in the case that has shaken South Korean politics and public trust in government.
Han, a 76‑year‑old veteran bureaucrat, stood trial for charges tied to then‑President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law in December 2024.
The court found that decree acted as an insurrection against the constitution and democratic order.
Court Ruling Calls Martial Law an Insurrection
The Seoul Central District Court said Han helped legitimize the martial law order by arranging a meeting that outwardly approved the decree.
Judge Lee Jin‑gwan said Han failed in his duty to protect the constitution and instead aided a plan that threatened democracy.
Han was also convicted of falsifying official documents, destroying presidential records, and lying under oath during impeachment proceedings.
The court stressed that the martial law plan risked bringing South Korea back to past authoritarian rule.
Han Denies Most Charges
Han has maintained he opposed the martial law plan and denied most of the accusations against him.
However, the judge determined his role in giving procedural legitimacy to the order made him culpable.
Han must report to prison immediately to begin his 23‑year sentence.
His term was longer than the 15 years prosecutors requested, highlighting the court’s view of the severity of his actions.
Wider Legal Fallout
Han is the first member of former President Yoon’s cabinet to be convicted in connection with the martial law crisis.
Last week, Yoon himself received a five‑year sentence for related offenses including obstructing justice tied to the decree.
Yoon also faces additional trials, including insurrection charges for which prosecutors have sought the death penalty.
That verdict is scheduled for February 19, and many analysts say Han’s sentence may influence the outcome.
The events of December 2024 remain one of South Korea’s most significant constitutional crises in decades, prompting intense debate about democratic protections and executive power.
