Seoul: A special counsel team on Wednesday demanded a 15-year prison term for former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on charges of abetting former President Yoon Suk Yeol's imposition of martial law. Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team made the request during the final hearing of Han's trial at the Seoul Central District Court, marking him as the first Cabinet member of the Yoon administration to face a sentencing recommendation in the martial law case.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the special counsel team argued that Han was the only individual who could have halted the insurrection yet failed to act, instead participating in the crime through various acts surrounding the martial law declaration. Han faces multiple charges, including abetting the ringleader of an insurrection, playing a key role in an insurrection, and perjury.

The charges stem from Han's alleged involvement in a Cabinet meeting before Yoon declared martial law on December 3, his signing of a revised proclamation to legitimize the martial law, discarding it, and providing false testimony at the Constitutional Court. The special counsel team highlighted the significant harm done to the nation and Han's lack of cooperation during the investigation.

"This case was an act of terror on the democracy of the Republic of Korea, and the nation and the people as a whole were the victims," a team member stated, emphasizing the need for strict punishment to avoid repeating this dark chapter in history.

In his defense, Han denied the accusations, claiming he attempted to challenge Yoon's decision alongside other Cabinet members but was unsuccessful. "Although I was unable to stop the martial law imposition, I never agreed with it or helped it," Han declared during his final statement.

Han's legal representation contended that he had no prior knowledge of the insurrection plans beyond the declaration and had no legal obligation to prevent it other than expressing opposition. The court is set to deliver its verdict on January 21 next year, potentially making Han the first Cabinet member of the Yoon administration to be convicted in the martial law case.

At a press briefing, assistant special counsel Park Ji-young noted that Han's sentencing recommendation would "set the standard" for others involved. "We decided on the sentencing recommendation in full consideration of the sentences given in past insurrection cases and the changed realities of the times," Park said.