BREAKING: Former South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck Soo has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for his involvement in a failed insurrection related to former President Yoon Suk Yeol‘s controversial martial law declaration. The ruling was issued on January 21, 2025, marking a historic moment as Han becomes the first official from Yoon’s administration convicted of treason.
The Seoul court found that Han actively participated in an attempt to legitimize a December 3, 2024 martial law decree, which the judge described as a “self-coup” that severely threatened South Korea’s democratic institutions. Judge Lee Jin Kwan emphasized that instead of protecting democracy, Han chose to support the insurrection, leading to the harsh sentence that exceeded prosecutors’ request for 15 years.
During the trial, evidence revealed that Han attempted to erase his involvement by instructing an aide to destroy documents associated with the martial law. This critical phone call on December 8 indicated that he was aware of Yoon’s plans before they were publicly announced. The court also convicted him of forgery, destruction of presidential records, and perjury during Yoon’s impeachment proceedings.
The ramifications of Han’s imprisonment are expected to resonate throughout South Korea, especially as attention shifts to Yoon’s own upcoming treason trial on February 19, 2025. Prosecutors have even called for the death penalty for Yoon, heightening public interest and concern over the future of the nation’s leadership.
Han Duck Soo, a seasoned diplomat who served under five presidents, was appointed prime minister by Yoon in May 2022. His lengthy tenure is now overshadowed by the treason charges that have rocked the nation. Throughout the trial, Han maintained his innocence, claiming he never supported the martial law initiative and had privately opposed it.
The court’s decision underscores the serious nature of the charges against top officials in South Korea’s government, raising questions about accountability and governance in the wake of political turmoil. As Han prepares to appeal the verdict, citizens and political analysts alike will be closely monitoring the unfolding situation, particularly as it relates to Yoon’s impending trial.
Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story unfolds.
