Seoul: Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was sentenced to 23 years in prison for playing a key role in an insurrection by abetting former President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief imposition of martial law. The Seoul Central District Court handed down the sentence, marking the first ruling that confirmed the declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024, constituted an insurrection.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the punishment exceeded the 15 years sought by special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team on charges that included abetting the ringleader of an insurrection, playing a key role in an insurrection, and committing perjury. Judge Lee Jin-gwan, the presiding judge, ordered Han to be placed in custody due to concerns he could destroy evidence.

The court highlighted Han's involvement in the insurrection by proposing that Yoon convene a Cabinet meeting before declaring the decree. Han did not oppose the declaration during the Cabinet meeting and appeared to have encouraged then Interior Minister Lee Sang-min to execute Yoon's orders to cut off power and water to media outlets critical of the administration.

During the televised sentencing hearing, the judge emphasized Han's duty as a prime minister to uphold democratic legitimacy and his responsibility to follow the Constitution and laws. The judge stated that Han neglected this duty, believing the insurrection might succeed, and chose to participate.

Han is the first member of Yoon's Cabinet to be sentenced over the martial law decree, which was lifted after six hours following a National Assembly vote. The court also found Han guilty of signing a revised proclamation after the decree was lifted, in an attempt to enhance its legitimacy, and lying under oath at the Constitutional Court.

The former prime minister has denied the allegations, asserting he had no prior knowledge of the martial law plans aside from the declaration itself and never agreed with or aided it. The ruling is anticipated to affect Yoon's own trial on charges of leading an insurrection through the martial law decree. Yoon's trial concluded last week, with the special counsel team demanding the death penalty, and the verdict is set to be announced on February 19.

Under the Constitution, an insurrection is defined as an act aimed at removing state authority from part or all of the country or staging a riot with the purpose of subverting the Constitution. Judge Lee described Yoon's "insurrection" as a "self-coup."