Seoul: Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was sentenced to 23 years in prison for his involvement in an insurrection that involved aiding former President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law imposition.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Seoul Central District Court delivered this landmark ruling, marking the first instance where the martial law declaration on December 3, 2024, was legally recognized as an insurrection. The sentence exceeded the 15 years proposed by special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team, which included charges of abetting the insurrection's leader, significantly contributing to the insurrection, and committing perjury.
Judge Lee Jin-gwan, who presided over the case, ordered Han's immediate custody, citing concerns about potential evidence tampering. The court stated Han's role in the insurrection involved suggesting that Yoon convene a Cabinet meeting before the martial law declaration. During the meeting, Han failed to oppose the declaration and seemed to support then Interior Minister Lee Sang-min in carrying out orders to disrupt media outlets critical of the government.
Judge Lee emphasized that as a prime minister, Han had a duty to uphold democratic principles and the Constitution, which he neglected until the insurrection's failure. Han's sentence marks him as the first member of Yoon's Cabinet to face legal repercussions for the martial law decree, which was nullified after a National Assembly vote.
Further, the court found Han guilty of signing a revised proclamation post-decree to legitimize it, later discarding it, and lying under oath at the Constitutional Court. Han has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting his ignorance of the martial law plans beyond the declaration itself, and maintained he neither agreed with nor facilitated the plans.
The ruling may influence Yoon's trial, which concluded last week with a demand for the death penalty. Yoon's verdict is anticipated on February 19. Under constitutional definitions, insurrection involves efforts to dismantle state authority or orchestrate a riot to undermine the Constitution.
Judge Lee described Yoon's actions as a "self-coup," noting that while no fatalities occurred during the insurrection, the event ended due to public courage in defending legislative processes against martial law forces. The court acknowledged the people's role in preserving democratic integrity by preventing troops from obstructing the parliamentary vote.
Han's sentencing marks a historic first for a former prime minister being arrested in court. The verdict can be appealed, potentially advancing to the Supreme Court. When questioned about his statement before arrest, Han stated, "I will humbly follow your decision."