Han Duck-soo 23-Year Prison Sentence: Ex-PM Convicted in Insurrection Case
On Jan 21, 2026, a South Korean court sentenced former PM Han Duck-soo to 23 years for insurrection related to the 2024 martial law declaration.
A South Korean court has delivered a landmark verdict in the fallout of the December 2024 martial law declaration. Han Duck-soo, the former Prime Minister, was sentenced to 23 years in prison today for his role in what the judiciary classified as an insurrection.
The Han Duck-soo 23-year prison sentence and Insurrection Charges
On January 21, 2026, the Seoul Central District Court found the 76-year-old former PM guilty. According to Reuters, the judge ruled that Han was instrumental in facilitating the "outward appearance" of a cabinet meeting, which was essential for former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration.
First Cabinet Member Convicted for Martial Law
Han's conviction marks the first time a former cabinet member has been sentenced by a lower court for crimes directly tied to the 2024 incident. The court ordered his immediate detention following the ruling. The verdict is seen as a pivotal moment in South Korea's pursuit of legal accountability for executive overreach during the short-lived martial law period.
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