A South Korean court has sentenced former prime minister Han Duck-soo to 23 years in prison for his role in the declaration of martial law under ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol, marking a watershed moment in the country’s legal reckoning with the crisis.
Han, 76, becomes the first former cabinet minister convicted on criminal charges directly linked to the December 2024 martial law episode — a ruling legal experts say could shape the outcome of other high-profile trials still under way.
The Seoul Central District Court found that Han was instrumental in creating the appearance of a legitimate cabinet meeting that enabled the declaration. The judge described his actions as a “top-down insurrection”, adding that Han discussed plans to paralyse key state institutions, including parliament.
“The defendant was a prime minister entrusted with democratic legitimacy and responsibility,” the judge said. “Yet he chose to turn a blind eye and participate in the December 3 insurrection.”
The court ruled that Han’s conduct placed South Korea at risk of sliding back into authoritarian rule, threatening fundamental rights and the country’s liberal democratic order. He was convicted of engaging in a key act of insurrection, as well as perjury and falsifying official documents.
Clad in a dark suit and green tie, Han said after the verdict: “I will humbly follow the judge’s decision.” He was taken into custody immediately, though his legal team confirmed plans to appeal to the Supreme Court.
The sentence exceeded the 15 years sought by prosecutors, an unusual move in South Korean jurisprudence. Han had denied all charges except perjury, insisting he neither supported nor assisted the martial law decision, despite failing to stop it.
Public reaction was swift. “This ruling is something citizens who oppose martial law can fully accept,” said 23-year-old commuter Kim Su-hyeon, speaking at a Seoul train station.
Han, a veteran technocrat who served under five presidents, briefly became acting president after Yoon’s impeachment, before facing impeachment himself over the same allegations. Although the Constitutional Court later reinstated him, Han resigned to contest the June snap election — a bid he later abandoned amid conservative infighting.
Former president Yoon, meanwhile, is facing eight separate trials. He received a five-year prison sentence last week for charges including obstructing arrest attempts and is awaiting a February 19 ruling on the most serious allegation: masterminding an insurrection. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, although South Korea has not carried out an execution since 1997.
