Hearing scheduled later this week to decide former PM's arrest

Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo arrives at the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office in Seoul on Aug. 22, 2025. Yonhap

SEOUL, August 25 (AJP) - Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is scheduled to face a hearing later this week that will determine his arrest over his alleged involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s botched martial law debacle last year.

The Seoul Central District Court said on Monday that the hearing is set for Wednesday, following independent prosecutors' request for Han's arrest as part of their investigation into the debacle, after several rounds of questioning and raids on his home and former official residence in central Seoul.

Prosecutors allege that Han conspired with Yoon and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun to prepare documents related to Yoon's Dec. 3 declaration of martial law, which eventually led to Yoon's ouster from office in April this year.

They are seeking Han's arrest on charges of dereliction of duty, perjury, and document falsification, citing the risk he may destroy evidence.

Han, who initially denied all allegations, claiming he only learned of Yoon's plan to declare martial law during a late-night cabinet meeting that day, recently admitted he was aware of it, after CCTV footage and other evidence came to light.

If the court issues a warrant, he would become the first prime minister to be arrested in the country's modern history.
Cheon Soram 기자 cheons@ajunews.com

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