Former South Korean Prime Minister Sentenced to 23 Years Imprisonment for Insurrection Charges

Former South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo Sentenced to 23 Years in Prison

A Seoul Central District Court has found former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo guilty of insurrection charges related to the declaration of martial law by disgraced ex-President Yoon Suk-yeol. The court sentenced Han to 23 years in prison, citing his failure to hold a lawful cabinet meeting after the decree was ordered by President Yoon in December 2024.

Judge Lee Jin-gwan stated that Han “disregarded his duty and responsibility as prime minister until the very end.” The judge also noted that Han’s actions posed a risk to South Korea’s democratic order, potentially preventing the country from escaping a period of dictatorship.

Han, 76, is the first member of Yoon’s cabinet to be found guilty and sentenced to jail in relation to the martial law declaration. He denied the charges against him, stating he had no prior knowledge of President Yoon’s plan to impose military rule.

The court has ordered Han to be detained due to concerns about potential evidence destruction. This verdict is significant as it marks the first official to face a trial on charges directly related to the martial law decree. The ruling may also impact the forthcoming verdict for President Yoon, who faces more serious charges of leading an insurrection through the martial law decree.

A special prosecutor has demanded the death penalty for President Yoon, with a verdict expected next month.

Source: Al Jazeera