A South Korean court sentenced former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to 23 years in prison on Wednesday for his key role in a 2024 martial law attempt. The Seoul Central District Court found him guilty of aiding an insurrection, immediately detaining him after the verdict. This ruling formally declares the December 2024 events an insurrection, marking the first judicial conviction from the constitutional crisis.
The court convicted Han on charges of forging and signing a martial law decree. Furthermore, it found he acted to retroactively legitimize the December 3rd power grab. Additionally, the court convicted him of perjury for false testimony during the former president’s impeachment trial. Prosecutors had requested a 15-year sentence, but the judge imposed a stricter penalty.
In its landmark decision, the court defined the 2024 martial law crisis as an insurrection. The decree bypassed constitutional processes and seized key state institutions. Moreover, it mobilized military and police to take over the National Assembly. The ruling states these acts were grave enough to disturb constitutional order. This legal finding sets a critical precedent for the upcoming trial of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Former President Yoon faces sentencing on February 19 for leading the alleged insurrection. Consequently, this week’s ruling establishes the legal framework for that case. The court’s insurrection designation will heavily influence the final judgment next month. This constitutional crisis has dominated South Korean politics for over a year.
Special Counsel Cho Eun-suk prosecuted the case against the former prime minister. She argued Han assisted actions before and after the martial law declaration. As prime minister, he had a duty to restrain the president’s unlawful exercise of power. However, he instead forged documents and later ordered their destruction.
Han Duck-soo denied all charges throughout the investigation and trial. He insisted he had no prior knowledge of the martial law plans. The court rejected his defense, citing conclusive evidence of his involvement. His actions significantly exacerbated the national constitutional crisis.
The sentencing carries profound implications for South Korea’s democracy. It reinforces the judiciary’s role in checking executive branch overreach. Furthermore, it provides a clear legal standard for defining insurrection domestically. This constitutional crisis tested the resilience of the nation’s democratic institutions. The firm judicial response aims to deter similar future actions.
Future steps include the highly anticipated sentencing of former President Yoon. That ruling will represent the culmination of this prolonged legal and political saga. Other former officials may also face charges based on this new precedent. The constitutional crisis will likely be studied for years as a cautionary tale.
In conclusion, the court delivered a historic judgment with a severe 23-year sentence. It officially categorizes the 2024 power grab as an insurrection under law. This landmark ruling provides judicial accountability for a traumatic national event. The case underscores the vital importance of upholding constitutional order above all. South Korea’s democracy has endured and affirmed its resilience through this process.
