The Seoul Central District Court sentenced former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to 23 years in prison for playing a key role in the rebellion that supported former President Yoon Suk-yeol's failed attempt to declare martial law on 3 December 2024.
Special Prosecutor Cho Eun-sook had requested a 15-year prison sentence, arguing that Han supported the actions before and after the martial law declaration despite his duty as prime minister to prevent the president's unlawful use of power.
The court stated Han was guilty of falsifying and signing a martial law declaration order on 6 December 2024, three days after the actual declaration, attempting to retroactively legitimize the act. Prosecutors also claimed he ordered the destruction of those documents and lied during the impeachment inquiry of President Yoon by claiming he was unaware of the order.
Throughout the investigation and trial, Han denied all charges, insisting he had no prior knowledge of the martial law plan. However, the court found the evidence sufficiently clear to prove his direct involvement.
This verdict marks the first conviction of a former cabinet member from Yoon's administration related to the 2024 martial law crisis and represents the first judicial recognition that the incident constitutes "rebellion."
The court noted in its ruling that the martial law declaration did not follow constitutional procedures and suspended constitutional rights, including parliamentary functions, political parties, press freedom, and the right to assemble. It also involved military and police control over the National Assembly and the National Election Commission, seriously undermining public order in parts of the country.
Under Article 87 of the Criminal Code, rebellion is defined as using violence or riots to overthrow state power or undermine constitutional order wholly or partially. This ruling is expected to set a key precedent ahead of former President Yoon's trial for leading rebellion, with a verdict scheduled for 19 February 2025 GMT+7.
/sourceThe Korea Herald