South Korean court reduces Han Duck-soos prison term in martial law case

A South Korean appeals court has reduced the sentence of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo from 23 years to 15 years for crimes related to ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law.

The verdict was issued in Seoul on Thursday, following a lower court’s initial sentence of 23 years in January. The appeals court maintained most of Han’s convictions but reduced the penalties after considering his extensive public service, which spans over 50 years.

According to the presiding judge, the court took into account evidence showing that Han did not actively participate in the insurrection, such as conspiring or leading the operation. However, the judge stated that Han abandoned his grave responsibilities and sided with those participating in the acts of insurrection.

Han, who has been imprisoned since January, listened to the verdict without displaying emotion. The 76-year-old former prime minister had denied wrongdoing on all charges except perjury, stating he regretted not being able to stop Yoon from declaring martial law but never agreed to it or tried to help.

Yoon, who faces eight separate trials, was handed a life sentence in February on charges of “masterminding an insurrection”. He has apologized for the frustration and hardship caused by his martial law decree and maintains that his actions were aimed at sounding the alarm over opposition parties’ obstruction of government.

Han’s reduced sentence brings an end to the appeals process. The former prime minister had previously served as acting president after Yoon was impeached, before being impeached himself on accusations of aiding Yoon in the martial law declaration.

Source: Al Jazeera