Archive · 22 Jan 2026
South Korea sentences ex-PM Han to 23 years
A court in South Korea has sentenced a former Prime Minister named Han Duck-soo to 23 years in jail.
He was found guilty of helping to set up a situation that allowed the former President, Yoon Suk Yeol, to declare martial law in December 2024.
The court said that Han did not hold a proper meeting that is required by law before declaring martial law.
This is a very serious matter in South Korea, and the court decided that Han's actions were very wrong.
Han has said he did not agree with the martial law and did not try to help with it.
The court's decision is important because it could affect other trials related to the martial law declaration.
Han plans to appeal the decision.
Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was sentenced to 23 years in jail for his role in facilitating ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law in December 2024.
The Seoul Central District Court found Han guilty of engaging in a key action of insurrection, perjury, and forging an official document.
Han was instrumental in setting up the outward appearance of a cabinet meeting that facilitated the declaration of martial law, described as a 'top-down insurrection'.
The sentence exceeded the 15 years sought by prosecutors, and Han plans to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.
Han served in senior posts under five presidents and became acting president after Yoon was impeached before his own impeachment was overturned.
- Who
- Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo
- What
- Sentenced to 23 years in jail for engaging in a key action of insurrection
- When
- January 21, 2025
- Where
- Seoul, South Korea
- Why
- For his role in facilitating the declaration of martial law by ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol in December 2024
Prosecution
Defense
Role in Martial Law
Prosecution
Han was instrumental in setting up the outward appearance of a cabinet meeting that facilitated the declaration of martial law, described as a 'top-down insurrection'.
Defense
Han denied wrongdoing on all charges except perjury, stating he never agreed to or tried to help with the martial law declaration.
Sentence Length
Prosecution
The court sentenced Han to 23 years, exceeding the 15 years sought by prosecutors.
Defense
The defense plans to appeal the sentence, arguing against its severity.
- Name
- Han Duck-soo
- Position
- Former Prime Minister of South Korea
- Sentence
- 23 years in jail
- Charges
- Key action of insurrection, perjury, forging an official document
- Related Event
- Martial law declaration by ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol
- Date of Sentencing
- January 21, 2025
- Court
- Seoul Central District Court
- Age
- 76
- Impeachment Status
- Impeachment overturned by the Constitutional Court
- Next Legal Step
- Appeal to the Supreme Court
Sources
South Korea court sentences ex-PM Han to 23-year jail term in case related to martial law
South Korea court finds ex-PM Han Duck-soo guilty of key action of insurrection over martial law
Ex-South Korea PM Han Duck-Soo Gets 23-Year Jail Term In Martial Law Case
Former South Korean PM Han jailed for 23 years in martial law case
Former South Korean PM Han Jailed for 23 Years in Martial Law Case
Ex-South Korean PM Han Duck-soo gets 23 years in prison for 2024 martial law: ‘Act of rebellion,’ says court
South Korea court sentences ex-PM Han to 23 years in jail in Yoon’s martial law case
South Korea’s former PM Han Duck-soo jailed for 23 years over insurrection: Details here
South Korea prosecutor appeals court ruling on ex-President Yoon’s obstruction charges
