Han Duck Soo 23 Years Treason Sentence: A Landmark Ruling on the 'Self-Coup'

Justice has finally caught up with the architects of the failed martial law. On January 21, 2026, former Prime Minister Han Duck Soo received a 23-year prison sentence for his role in the December 3, 2024 insurrection. He's the first official from the Yoon Suk Yeol administration to be convicted of treason, marking a seismic shift in South Korea's judicial accountability.

The Evidence Behind Han Duck Soo 23 Years Treason Sentence

The court didn't hold back. Judge Lee Jin Kwan labeled the 2024 event a "self-coup" by elected power. While prosecutors initially sought a 15-year term, the judge handed down 23 years, citing previous military coups as a sentencing guideline. The ruling emphasized that Han Duck Soo didn't just stand by; he actively lent procedural legitimacy to an illegal decree.

A key piece of evidence was a recorded phone call from December 8. In the recording, Han ordered an aide to destroy documents containing his signature. This move proved he'd known about Yoon Suk Yeol's plan hours before the public announcement, shattering his defense that he'd privately opposed the move. The court also noted his total lack of remorse and repeated lies throughout the trial.

Setting the Stage for Yoon Suk Yeol's Trial

This verdict is just the beginning. It sets a stern precedent for former President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose own treason trial is set for February 19. Prosecutors are already seeking the death penalty for Yoon. Han, a career diplomat who served five presidents, now faces the reality of spending the rest of his life behind bars for choosing loyalty to a leader over the constitution.