South Korea court sentences ex-PM Han to 23-year jail term in case related to martial law

First-instance Verdict In Trial Of Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - JANUARY 21: 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

Source: Pool

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 on the charge because he was considered instrumental in setting up the outward appearance of a cabinet meeting that worked to faciliate the martial law declaration, a judge said.

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.

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