Former PM sentenced to 23 years in prison over martial law involvement

Yonhap

SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was sentenced to 23 years in prison on Wednesday for his involvement in disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law debacle in December 2024.

In a nationwide televised trial, the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul handed down the sentence, ruling that the Dec. 3 declaration of martial law constituted an insurrection.

The court said, "[Han], as prime minister, had a duty to comply with the Constitution, uphold laws and democratic values, and take every effort to protect them."

The court added, "Despite this, he neglected his duties and chose to take part in the debacle, thinking it could succeed."

It also warned that Han's actions could have risked returning the country to its "darkest past," when democracy and civil rights were suppressed under authoritarian and military rule.

The court further criticized Han for hiding and fabricating documents to make the martial law declaration appear lawful, despite his responsibility to uncover the truth and take accountability for the short-lived, late-night fiasco.

The punishment was heavier than the 15 years prosecutors sought at Han's final hearing in November last year, who had accused him of aiding Yoon's martial law bid rather than preventing it, despite his duty to check abuses of presidential power.

Han denied all allegations, claiming he had no prior knowledge of the debacle and never agreed with or aided it, even after becoming aware of it.

Wednesday's ruling is expected to have implications for Yoon's own trial on charges of insurrection and abuse of power, with a verdict likely to be handed down next month.
Jeong Se-hee 기자 ssss308@ajunews.com

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