S. Korean Ex-PM Gets 23 Years for Martial Law Declaration
By Reuters | 21 Jan, 2026

Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was sentenced to 23 years in prison under the charge of insurrection for his role in the December 3, 2024 declaration which led to 6 hours of martial law.

Former South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo (C) arrives at the Seoul Central District Court for his first sentencing trial in the insurrection case on January 21, 2026 in Seoul, South Korea. Chung Sung-Jun/Pool via REUTERS

A South Korean court on Wednesday sentenced former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to 23 years in jail for charges including engaging in a key action of insurrection concerning ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law in December 2024.

The Seoul Central District Court found Han guilty because he was considered instrumental in setting up the outward appearance of a cabinet meeting that facilitated the martial law declaration, a judge said, calling it a "top-down insurrection".

"The defendant was a Prime Minister who had been indirectly given democratic legitimacy and responsibility... Nevertheless, the defendant chose to turn a blind eye... and participate as a member of the December 3 insurrection," the judge said. 

"As a result of the defendant's actions, South Korea was in danger of returning to the dark past when the basic rights and liberal democratic order of the people were violated, potentially preventing them from escaping from the quagmire of dictatorship for a long time."

The lower court also found Han guilty of related charges such as perjury and creating a false official document. 

Han had denied wrongdoing for all charges except partial perjury. 

Han, 76, is the first former cabinet minister to be handed a ruling by a lower court on criminal charges directly related to martial law.

Han was detained by the court immediately after the ruling.

The ruling can be appealed, and Han's lawyer said he expected the ruling to be appealed up to the Supreme Court. 

(Reporting by Heejin Kim and Joyce LeeEditing by Ed Davies)