South Korea jails former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo

2026-01-21 16:08:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

A South Korean court on Wednesday sentenced former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to 23 years in prison on charges including involvement in acts of sedition. The charges were related to former President Yoon Suk-yeol's short-term declaration of a state of emergency in December 2024.

The Seoul Central District Court said it found Han instrumental in orchestrating the appearance of a cabinet meeting that facilitated the declaration of a state of emergency. One judge described it as a "top-down rebellion."

“The defendant was a prime minister who was indirectly granted democratic legitimacy and responsibility... However, the defendant chose to turn a blind eye... and participate as a member of the December 3 uprising. As a result of the defendant’s actions, South Korea was in danger of returning to the dark past when the people’s fundamental rights and liberal democratic order were violated, potentially preventing them from escaping the quagmire of dictatorship for a long time,” the judge said.

The court also convicted Han of several related criminal offenses, including perjury and forgery of official documents. Han denied all charges except for partial perjury. At 76, Han is the first former cabinet minister to receive a criminal conviction by a lower court directly related to the imposition of the state of emergency. He was taken into custody immediately after the verdict.

The decision can be appealed, and the presiding judge said he expects the case to go all the way to the Supreme Court.

What happened to Yoon Suk Yeol?

Last week, former President Yoon was sentenced to five years in prison in the first of eight criminal trials related to his short-term declaration of a state of emergency in December 2024. Yoon was put on probation, arrested and formally removed from office after the move sparked mass protests and a political crisis, with demonstrators accusing him of trying to undermine democratic rule. The most serious charge against Yoon alleges that his implementation of martial law constituted rebellion. An independent lawyer has sought the death penalty on this charge, and the Seoul Central District Court is expected to rule on the charge on February 19.

Yoon has denied seeking to impose long-term military rule, arguing that the decree was intended to warn the public about what he described as obstruction by a liberal-controlled parliament. However, investigators have concluded that the move was aimed at consolidating and extending his hold on power. Prosecutors have also charged Yoon with abuse of power and other criminal offenses, with further rulings expected as the remaining trials continue./CNA, translated by DW