A South Korean appeals court has lowered the prison term handed to former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo over his involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed declaration of martial law in December 2024.
Han, who was appointed by Yoon, had originally received a 23-year prison sentence from a Seoul court in January, while Yoon was later sentenced to life imprisonment on rebellion charges the following month.
In its ruling on Thursday, the Seoul High Court maintained most of Han’s convictions but reduced his jail term to 15 years.
The court upheld accusations that Han attempted to give legitimacy to Yoon’s unlawful martial law order by seeking Cabinet approval and discussing plans to cut water and electricity supplies to major media organizations.
Judges also sustained convictions related to falsifying the martial law proclamation, destroying the document and providing false testimony under oath.
According to the Seoul High Court, Han’s “criminal liabilities are very grave” because he “abandoned his immense responsibilities” as the second-highest official in Yoon’s administration and took part in the rebellion.
Criminal law expert Park SungBae said both the lower and appeals courts regarded Han’s offences as extremely serious. However, he noted that the appellate court likely considered a 15-year sentence appropriate when compared with penalties handed to other officials linked to the martial law controversy, including former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, who received a seven-year sentence.
During proceedings at the Seoul Central District Court, the special prosecutor had sought a 15-year prison term for Han. Park added that although the initial 23-year sentence was higher than anticipated, it still fell within the acceptable range for the offences committed.
Both Han and prosecutors have seven days to challenge Thursday’s judgment before the Supreme Court, South Korea’s highest judicial authority.
Han, 76, spent about four decades in public service and served twice as prime minister — first under former liberal President Roh Moo-hyun between 2007 and 2008, and later under conservative leader Yoon Suk Yeol. He was also among three officials who briefly acted as caretaker leaders following Yoon’s suspension over the martial law declaration.
Yoon was later impeached by lawmakers before the Constitutional Court formally removed him from office in April last year. He was succeeded by liberal politician Lee Jae Myung after the opposition figure won a snap presidential election.
