Ex-PM Han Duck-soo jailed as court rules 2024 martial law unconstitutional rebellion
In a historic ruling, South Korea’s former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for his role in enforcing the unconstitutional martial law declared in December 2024.
The martial law, imposed by then-President Yoon Suk-yeol, was ruled by the court as an act of rebellion aimed at undermining the nation’s constitutional system. Yoon, who previously nominated Han as Prime Minister, had already faced multiple criminal charges, including rebellion, and is currently serving prison time.
During the martial law crisis, Han Duck-soo was one of the top three officials managing the emergency, and the court described his actions as pivotal in executing the illegal decree without hesitation. The judiciary emphasized that such acts threatened to push the country back into a dark era where public rights were suppressed, and democracy was at risk.
Prosecutors had sought a 15-year sentence for Han, but the court handed down a stricter punishment, highlighting the severity of his involvement. The 76-year-old former PM retains the right to appeal, claiming he opposed the martial law plan.
This ruling marks the first conviction of a high-ranking official under Yoon’s administration for rebellion, setting a historic precedent in South Korea’s legal and political history. The verdict underscores the judiciary’s commitment to upholding constitutional governance and holding leaders accountable for anti-democratic actions.
