Former South Korean PM Han Jailed for 23 Years 'Martial Law Case'

A South Korean court jailed former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo for 23 years on Wednesday, on charges that included insurrection relating to ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law in December 2024.

Han, 76, is the first former cabinet minister to be handed a ruling by a court on criminal charges directly related to martial law, which legal experts have said could prove a bellwether for



other trials.

The Seoul Central District Court found Han guilty because he was instrumental in setting up the outward appearance of a cabinet meeting that facilitated the declaration, a judge said, a move he described as a "top-down insurrection". 

Han also discussed plans to block the function of major institutions such as parliament as part of the insurrection, the judge added.