Former South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is at the center of a high-profile martial law case. The special counsel team requested a 15-year prison term for him on Wednesday. This marks a significant moment in the ongoing investigation into the martial law case linked to former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
The request occurred during the final hearing at the Seoul Central District Court. Han becomes the first Cabinet member of the Yoon administration to face a sentencing recommendation in this case. Special counsel Cho Eun-suk’s team highlighted Han’s alleged involvement in facilitating the martial law declaration.
According to the special counsel, Han could have prevented the insurrection but failed in his duty. “He abandoned his responsibility as a servant of the nation and participated in the insurrection through a series of acts,” a team member said. Han faces charges of abetting the ringleader of an insurrection, involvement in an insurrection, and perjury.
The allegations focus on Han attending a Cabinet meeting before the martial law declaration on December 3 and signing a revised proclamation to enhance its legitimacy. The counsel also noted that he discarded the proclamation and provided false testimony at the Constitutional Court.
During the trial, the special counsel urged the court to consider the immense national damage and Han’s uncooperative behavior. “This case threatened South Korea’s democracy, and the nation suffered as a whole,” the team said. They added that strict punishment is necessary to prevent repetition of such incidents.
Han Duck-soo denied all allegations in his final statement. He said he attempted to oppose Yoon’s decision with other Cabinet members but could not prevent the declaration. “Although I failed to stop the martial law imposition, I never agreed with it or supported it,” he said, stressing honesty before the historic court session.
Han’s legal team argued that he had no prior knowledge of any insurrection plan beyond the declaration itself. They stated that the president had already decided, and Han had no legal obligation to act beyond expressing opposition.
The court has scheduled its verdict for January 21, 2026. Assistant special counsel Park Ji-young emphasized that Han’s sentencing recommendation will set a standard for other trials in the case. She said the team considered previous insurrection sentences and modern circumstances in determining the recommendation.
This martial law case continues to attract national attention, highlighting tensions within the Yoon administration and the broader implications for South Korea’s democratic processes. The outcome may influence how future governmental oversight and Cabinet accountability are handled.
