Ex-PM Han Duck-soo Sentenced to 23 Years for Insurrection Role in 2024 Martial Law Case

It's a landmark ruling that far exceeded the prosecution's expectations. On January 21, 2026, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to 23 years in prison for his role in the December 3, 2024, martial law decree. The sentence is significantly heavier than the 15-year term initially sought by the special counsel.

Han Duck-soo Insurrection Sentence 2026: A Reckoning for the 'Self-Coup'

The court's decision officially categorizes the 2024 martial law declaration by former President Yoon Suk Yeol as an insurrection. Presiding Judge Lee Jin-gwan stated that Han neglected his constitutional duty by proposing the Cabinet meeting that led to the decree. The court found that Han didn't just stand by; he actively encouraged the suppression of critical media outlets during those chaotic six hours.

Found Guilty of Perjury and Abetting Insurrection

Beyond the act of abetting, Han was convicted of lying under oath at the Constitutional Court and attempting to bolster the legitimacy of the decree even after its revocation. While Han maintained he had no prior knowledge of the plan, the judge dismissed this, citing his actions as a member of the inner circle who believed the coup might succeed. He's now the first former prime minister in South Korean history to be arrested in court following a first-instance trial.

Legal Implications for Former President Yoon

This verdict is a massive blow to the defense of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose own insurrection trial is reaching its climax. With the special counsel demanding the death penalty for Yoon, the court's firm stance in the Han case suggests a similarly stern outcome on February 19. The ruling highlights that the survival of democracy was due to the courage of citizens who blocked the military at the National Assembly, not the restraint of those in power.