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South Korea: Former Prime Minister Han Sentenced to 23 Years for Insurrection

Published January 21, 2026, 10:26
South Korea: Former Prime Minister Han Sentenced to 23 Years for Insurrection

A South Korean court sentenced former Prime Minister Han Duk-soo to 23 years in prison for charges including insurrection, in connection with the declaration of martial law in 2024 by former President Yoon Suk-yeol. The sentence is longer than the 15 years sought by prosecutors. Han is the first former cabinet member to be convicted of crimes directly related to the imposition of martial law. The court ruled that he facilitated the declaration of martial law and discussed plans to halt the operation of important institutions, such as the parliament. Han refused to answer investigators' questions, and his lawyer announced that they would appeal to the Supreme Court.