Han Duck-soo Insurrection Sentence 2026: Former PM Gets 23 Years Over Martial Law Role
On Jan 21, 2026, former South Korean PM Han Duck-soo was sentenced to 23 years for his role in the 2024 martial law attempt, a heavy blow ahead of Yoon Suk-yeol's verdict.
The sentence is far heavier than what prosecutors had envisioned. On January 21, 2026, a South Korean court sentenced former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to 23 years in prison. The ruling follows his conviction on insurrection charges linked to disgraced former President Yoon Suk-yeol's brief and controversial declaration of martial law in late 2024.
The Han Duck-soo Insurrection Sentence 2026 and Judicial Reasoning
According to reports from Al Jazeera and AFP, the Seoul Central District Court found that Han, now 76, neglected his constitutional duty and actively abetted the unlawful decree. Judge Lee Jin-gwan emphasized that Han's failure to hold a proper cabinet meeting—a legal requirement—pushed the nation toward a "dark past" of authoritarianism.
As a result of the defendant’s actions, South Korea was in danger of returning to the quagmire of dictatorship.
Han is the first cabinet member to face a verdict for the insurrection. Although he claimed he didn't know about the martial law plan beforehand, the court didn't buy it. He's been detained immediately following the sentencing due to concerns over the potential destruction of evidence.
Impact on Former President Yoon Suk-yeol's Verdict
This verdict's significance extends beyond Han's personal fate. It's widely seen as a bellwether for former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who faces even more serious charges of leading the insurrection. Last week, Yoon received a five-year sentence for secondary charges like document fabrication.
Special prosecutors have demanded the death penalty for Yoon, with the final verdict set for February 19, 2026. Experts note that Han's 23-year sentence—which exceeded the prosecution's 15-year request—suggests the judiciary is taking an exceptionally stern stance on those who threatened the democratic order.
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