Former South Korean Prime Minister Han Duk-su was sentenced by a court to 23 years in prison for involvement in “rebellion against the constitution” due to his support of former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s declaration of martial law.
On 21 January 2026, Yonhap News Agency reported that the Seoul District Court sentenced Han Duk-su, former South Korean Prime Minister, to 23 years in prison for playing a key role in a rebellion by supporting former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s brief declaration of martial law on 3 December of last year.
The court also ordered Han to be detained immediately in the courtroom, citing the risk that he might destroy evidence. It stated that the former prime minister participated in the rebellion by proposing that former President Yoon convene a cabinet meeting before declaring martial law.
The judge said the defendant, as prime minister, who had democratic legitimacy, had a duty to uphold the constitution and laws and to protect the constitutional system to the utmost. However, the defendant neglected this duty and chose to join the rebellion, believing that the power grab on 3 December might succeed.
This ruling is the first official court decision confirming that the declaration of martial law and subsequent actions constituted rebellion against the constitution. The court imposed a harsher sentence than the 15-year prison term requested by the special prosecution team led by Cho Eun-sook, which charged Han with supporting the rebellion leader, playing a key role in the rebellion, and giving false testimony.
Source: Yonhap