US EditionFormer South Korean PM Han Duck-soo Sentenced to 23 Years for Martial Law Aiding
Han Duck-soo was convicted of abetting a rebellion linked to a brief martial law decree and sentenced to 23 years, exceeding the 15 years prosecutors sought.
- On January 21, 2026, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Former Prime Minister Han Duck‑soo to 23 years in prison for aiding an insurrection linked to the Dec. 3, 2024 martial law decree.
- By attending a Cabinet meeting shortly before the decree, Han Duck‑soo helped stage a procedural meeting and signed a revised martial law proclamation, later discarded, while lying under oath.
- Judge Lee Jin‑gwan said Han neglected his constitutional duty and took part, believing the December 3 insurrection might succeed, while armed troops were deployed before the decree lasted about six hours.
- The court ordered Han detained immediately, and his 23-year sentence is eight years longer than Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team sought.
- The verdict is likely to influence Former President Yoon Suk Yeol's trials, shaping outcomes with his February 19, 2026 verdict and possible penalties including a death sentence.
142 Articles
142 Articles
Former South Korean Prime Minister Jailed for 23 Years in Martial Law Case
A South Korean court on Jan. 21 sentenced former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to 23 years in prison for insurrection for his involvement in the December 2024 imposition of martial law by then-President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon attempted to impose martial law on Dec. 3, 2024, but backed down after six hours amid public protest and after parliament voted to overturn the decree. At the time, Yoon said he was aiming to protect the constitution because the…
South Korea's Ex-PM Sentenced in Martial Law Case
South Korea just handed down a tough political ruling, and it landed on a former prime minister. The Guardian reports that Han Duck-soo was sentenced on Wednesday to 23 years behind bars for helping then-President Yoon Suk Yeol push through an unconstitutional martial law decree in December 2024—an attempt...
South Korea’s former prime minister jailed for 23 years in martial law case
A South Korean court ruled Wednesday that the ill-fated imposition of martial law by the then President Yoon Suk Yeol constituted an act of rebellion, as it sentenced his prime minister to 23 years in prison for his involvement.
South Korea's former Prime Minister Han has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for his key role in the imposition of martial law.
The Daily Advance
South Korea's former prime minister jailed for 23 years in martial law case
A South Korean court has ruled that the failed imposition of martial law by former President Yoon Suk Yeol constituted an act of rebellion. The ruling came Wednesday as it sentenced ex-Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who was appointed by Yoon,…
South Korea: Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo faces a remarkably harsh sentence for his role in the failed coup in South Korea in late 2023. The sentence is…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 39% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
