Skip to main content
See every side of every news story
Published loading...Updated

South Korea appeals court cuts jail term for ex-PM Han to 15 years in martial law case

The court upheld most convictions and said Han helped give Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law order a veneer of legitimacy, prosecutors said.

  • On Thursday, the Seoul High Court reduced former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's prison sentence to 15 years, cutting eight years from the original 23-year term imposed in January for his role in ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol's December 2024 martial law declaration.
  • While maintaining most convictions, judges lessened the penalty after considering Han's "more than 50 years as a public official," finding insufficient evidence he actively conspired to lead the insurrection.
  • Judges ruled that Han "abandoned the grave responsibilities" of his position by facilitating the martial law decree; he convened a cabinet meeting to implement the order before later presiding over a meeting to rescind it.
  • Han's lawyers announced plans to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court, while the former prime minister remains imprisoned since his initial sentencing in January.
  • Associates of Yoon continue to face legal scrutiny, with the former president serving a life sentence for insurrection and former first lady Kim Keon Hee having her corruption sentence increased to four years last week.
Insights by Ground AI

40 Articles

Lean Left

South Korea's former Prime Minister Han Duck Soo has only been detained for 15 years instead of 23. He was convicted for his role in the proclamation of martial law at the end of 2024.

·Germany
Read Full Article
La LibreLa Libre
+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Center

A South Korean court of appeal reduced the sentence of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Thursday from 23 to 15 years in prison for his involvement in the brief proclamation of martial law by former President Yoon Suk Yeol at the end of 2024. ...

·Brussels, Belgium
Read Full Article
Lean Right

Former South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has been sentenced to 15 years in prison on appeal. He received the sentence for his role in the failed declaration of martial law by former President Yoon Suk-yeol. The sentence is lower than the 23 years in prison Han was sentenced to in January. According to the court, Han played a key role in then-President Yoon Suk-yeol's attempt to sideline parliament. The Court stated that Han "attempted to …

·Netherlands (Kingdom of the)
Read Full Article
Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 44% of the sources lean Left
44% Left

Factuality Info Icon

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

Info Icon

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

The Hamilton Spectator broke the news in Hamilton, Canada on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Too Big Arrow Icon
Sources are mostly out of (0)

Similar News Topics

News
Feed Dots Icon
For You
Search Icon
Search
Blindspot LogoBlindspotLocal